“My life is one distraction after the. . .oh look, flowers!” For a while this was the description I had under the “about me” section on my Facebook page. Now it’s only on my Instagram page. While it is meant to be more comical than accurate, it probably is more accurate that comical. With all the stimuli surrounding me in the world, I find myself easily distracted and fighting desperately to maintain my focus. For instance, the process I went through in writing this (and every) post demonstrates this difficulty.
I turned on my laptop, so far so good, but then instead of opening Microsoft word, I opened my email. I proceeded to check my emails, added people to my google+ account. I still don’t even know the purpose of the google+ account, other than it being a tool to help me procrastinate. After checking my email to make sure Oprah or anyone else important wasn’t trying to reach me, I HAD to check my Facebook account to see if there had been a lively discussion sparked over night that I would just scoff at. Oh yeah, and to wish folks happy birthday. By this time I have easily blown 20 minutes of writing time, but I couldn’t start writing because I remembered I needed to continue doing my laundry. On my way to the laundry room I passed the kitchen and figured I better take out the chicken to thaw so that it is ready for dinner tonight. Somehow I make it to the laundry room, then returned to my computer, which of course needs to be updated. I update my computer and then decide to weigh myself to see what damage I have done these past two weeks of travel. This weighing ceremony inevitably leads me back to my computer, not to write, but to research energy boosting diets. [This one HERE actually seemed really good]. Bibbidie Bobbidie Boo…I start writing this post.
My point in telling you this story is not for you to think I’m scattered, although that might be the case, but to highlight how easy it is to become distracted. Perhaps you can relate. You start out with one goal in mind, but get distracted by five other goals along the way. By the end, you have partially completed several tasks, but fully completed none. Instead of using our energy to focus on finishing one task at a time, we have convinced ourselves that we can multitask. As a result our productivity suffers because completing our daily goals takes longer, but our multitasking makes us feel more productive. Honestly, I believe multitasking was a concept created by procrastinators (of which I am the chief) who wanted to feel productive while maybe not being productive. In those moments when I find myself starting ten projects instead of completing one, there are two things I remember that help reign me in.
Prioritize Tasks and Complete Them In Order of Importance
This is about being intentional. Multitasking can give way to a form of passive productivity, whereby you are casually working on several projects regardless of their importance. To avoid this, I have to write out my tasks, list them in order of importance, and then complete them in that order. I do not allow myself to proceed to number two if I have no completed task one. This may seem simple, but it can be quite the challenge. The other tasks on your list can easily become distractions vying for your time. Resisting that urge to not read your email until you have finished writing for a post is not easy, especially if you’re prone to procrastination. Nevertheless, it can be done, and with great benefits. I have found that when I focus my energy on completing one task, I finish the task faster and the quality is better.
Intentional Focusing On Singular Tasks May Mean You Don’t Get To Projects When You Want, But That’s Ok
To be sure, there will be times when you have to complete projects by certain deadlines, and you do not have the luxury of working on one task at a time. In those moments, multitasking may seem beneficial. Yet, I believe that those moments are far fewer than we believe. Further, if we practice being intentional about completing tasks according to priority, we may find that those moments when we have to multitask will decrease in our lives. The reality is that even when we feel we must multitask, we are simply grabbing at an illusion. You can only do one tasks at a time. I can either choose to write this blog, or do my laundry. I cannot do both at the same time.
Therefore, I must be ok with having dirty laundry while I write this post. Or conversely, I must be content with not writing my posts while I finish the laundry. I would like to do it all at once, but I cannot without it being disruptive. Learning to be content and at peace with this limitation is important. I think it is one of the keys to dealing with those distractions that tell you what you should be doing. When you realize you can only do one thing at a time, only then do you not give into those distractions and are able to maintain your focus to complete your task.
–Until Next Time–
Palooke
