Be productive - don't multi-task, it just makes you dumb
We don’t want to admit it but we love distractions. In fact, just like monkeys, we get a shot of dopamine every time something pulls us in another direction.
Why do you think you check your email so much?
Well, here’s some tips to make you more productive and get your focus back:
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1. Work backwards from goals to milestones to tasks. Writing “launch company website” at the top of your to-do list is a sure way to make sure you never get it done. Break down the work into smaller chunks until you have specific tasks.
2. Stop multi-tasking. Switching from task to task quickly does not work. In fact, changing tasks more than 10 times in a day makes you dumber. When you multi-task, your IQ drops by 15 points for men, five for women (yes, men are three times as bad at multi-tasking than women).
3. Lock your door, put a sign up, turn off your phone, texts, email, and instant messaging. If you know you may sneak a peek at your email, set it to offline mode, or even turn off your Internet connection. Go to a
quiet area and focus on completing one task.
4. Schedule your email. Pick two or three times during the day when you’re going to use your email. Checking your email constantly throughout the day kills your productivity.
5. Use the phone. Email isn’t meant for conversations.
6. Work on your own agenda. Don’t let someone else set your day.
7. Don’t burn yourself out with super long stints. Work for 60-90 minutes, then go for a walk, have a snack, do something completely different.
Ilya, Dubai
Comments
by FatBhoyTim
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 1:43PM
“My entire job is based on responsiveness, either to calls or emails. Cutting myself off from the latter in particular would mean I'd get nowhere. However your first point was a decent description of a Work Breakdown Structure.”
by Mayii
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 1:23PM
“If you work in a busy company just like Dxb has.. You will not be able to do what you have suggested on your letter. Job offers here (Dxb) are usually multi-tasking, like Reception *** secretary *** accounts or Sales representative *** sales supervisor. Even if you have a single job description, you are still demanded to do more than one task. :)”
by amjustsayin
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 12:56PM
“Another silly letter”
by Powerrrrpuffff
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 12:13PM
“"Lock your door, put a sign up, turn off your phone, texts, email, and instant messaging. If you know you may sneak a peek at your email, set it to offline mode, or even turn off your Internet connection. Go to a quiet area and focus on completing one task" - I doubt if we'd still have our jobs!!”
by Powerrrrpuffff
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 11:47AM
“'Lock your door, put a sign up, turn off your phone, texts, email, and instant messaging. If you know you may sneak a peek at your email, set it to offline mode, or even turn off your Internet connection. Go to a quiet area and focus on completing one task' - I doubt if we'd still have our jobs if we follow this tip!!”
by valamratan17
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 11:42AM
“Iliya....great tips, however number 3,4,5,6 and 7 do not imply to someone who is working in the middle east....or abroad for that matter. It could be good tips for someone is running his/her own company and who's time and schedule is set by themselves, but then again they probably do not need these pointers as they have already made it to the top, never the less...thank you for the tips.”
by NewCrunch
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 9:56AM
“Thanks for all the useful suggestions Ilya, however I seriously doubt if you have workde in a REAL office ;)”
by Gavtek
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 8:42AM
“I prefer the 'turn up at 8, spend all day on the internet and go home at 5' approach personally.”