In order to get the most out of our day, multitasking is key. Some people are natural multitaskers, but not everyone is born to be able to manage several tasks at one time. The good news? It can be learnt, and the ways to do this aren’t as difficult as you might think.
First things first however, we need to explore why multitasking is actually a positive thing, both at home and at work. You might be under the impression that multitasking actually causes stress, because you’re juggling several balls at one time, but it’s the total opposite. A long to do list causes stress, the ability to tick multiple items off said to do list is actually a stress buster! By getting the most out of your time, and managing several tasks at the same time, you’re getting much more done, and creating a real sense of achievement.
Have you ever heard of breakout furniture? This is something which businesses are using more and more in order to help employees manage their time effectively, whilst lowering stress levels at the same time. This type of furniture encompasses a large range of items, but we’re looking at things like an office sofa, for example. Basically, this furniture is situated in an area which isn’t specifically designed for work, e.g. either not in the office itself, or in a part of the office that isn’t your desk. It is designed to be a stress-busting, comfortable spot, where employees can take time out, focus on tasks, and even carry out another task, whilst recharging the batteries. It is also multifunctional, so can be used to continue work, such as an informal meeting, a brainstorming spot, or even somewhere a laptop can be used. Multitasking furniture at its best!
Learning to multitask isn’t just about where you do it, it’s about how you do it. Let’s explore some of the most important themes.
Always think in front – Top multitaskers think one task ahead, and often have a to do list at the start of every day. If you work task by task, e.g. finishing one thing and then looking to find something else to achieve, you’re going to waste precious time. It could also be that one task can be completed in tandem with another, and could even overlap. By planning ahead, you’re identifying those tasks that can be ticked off your list with ease, and you’re avoiding time wasting too.
Prioritising is key – Whenever you decide what you want to accomplish in the space of a day, you need to prioritise the most important things. This means that deadlines aren’t missed, which can contribute to stressful situations. Having a to do list on a sticky note on your office desk will help you stay on track, but numbering your tasks in order of importance, e.g. first most important, will help you identify urgent tasks, and make sure they’re done. This is a number one rule in time management, and aids with multitasking and stress levels. You’re much more likely to stay focused at work in this way.
Avoid distractions – Going off on a tangent in any type of situation does nothing but wastes time and basically gets nothing of any meaning done. By avoiding distractions you’re keeping your mind firmly on the task at hand, so that means only checking your emails three times a morning, rather than every half an hour, and having your phone on silent, so you’re not distracted by another Facebook status update.
In terms of office design, creating enough space for employees to work in a comfortable and noise-free environment is vital to multitasking and success overall. The type of furniture you choose goes hand in hand with this, as well as how you place it. Is your office the type that would work well with cubicle-type seating? Is there a corner that could be utilised as a ‘take five’ location, where staff can go to de-stress for a second, or focus quietly on a task? You can order office furniture that ticks all these boxes, and it’s about identifying what would work well in your organisation.
Train your brain to be a multitasker – The more successful multitasking you do, the more you will become quite addicted to it. It’s addictive because you’re ticking off items from you to do list, and that in itself gives you a huge sense of achievement and self-wroth. At the end of the day you will feel like you really achieved something, and your mood will be on the up as a result. This is how you should feel when you leave work, not bogged down with thoughts of the things you didn’t get the chance to do.
By teaching your brain how to multitask, i.e. changing your mind-set, you will find that the methods to do so come as second nature within a little time. So, make to do lists part of your routine, at home and at work, pair together tasks that you can tick off in one go, reward yourself when you succeed. These are all ways to make yourself a master multitasker.
Remember to take regular breaks at work, and encourage your staff to do so – You might think that taking a break is counterproductive to multitasking and successful time management, but you’d be wrong. It’s actually a must do to give yourself five minutes refocusing time, and to give your brain a break. This is where breakout furniture options are a great idea, because even reception seating can serve as a place and a spot for staff to go and recharge their batteries for five minutes. This quick refocusing, away from the desk and computer screen, can actually be super-beneficial to productivity. Those mid-afternoon and mid-morning slumps can be mastered with regular breaks.
Multitasking is much easier than it sounds and much easier than at first it might seem. Some people are natural born multitaskers, and those are the people who get a lot done with their time. In order to avoid stressful situations, never overstretch yourself and write unrealistic to do lists – if you have a lot to do, break it down into bite-sized chunks and don’t try and cram too much into a short space of time. You are not a robot, but multitasking is something that can help you achieve what may seem impossible.