How to Become Better at Multi-Tasking

One of the Main Things

I get asked by people is how to become better at multi-tasking. This is actually one of the simpler time management techniques to put into action and in this article I'm going to outline the steps needed for you...yes, even you...to become a champion multi-tasker.

First of All, What Is Multi-tasking?

It's simply doing more than one thing at a time. Now, I'd never been good at that until I got a little older and realized what I was doing wrong. When I was younger and tried to multi-task I tried to do two or more things that shouldn't have been paired together. They were two things that both needed my full attention...for instance, trying to read and watch kids. Now, You may be able to do that, but I couldn't...especially not at the beach.

When I Finally Realized What I Was Doing Wrong

And what I needed to do in order to do it right I made some changes and, as a result, I've been a very successful multi-tasker ever since...and you can too.

As a result, I get much more done, my stress level has decreased, and my day runs smoother. So are you ready to learn how to become better at multi-tasking? Here are the steps:

First,

Write down all you need to do that day...everything.

Pick up dry cleaning

Lunch with sisters

Pick up stuff to bake cupcakes

Bake cupcakes

Fix dinner

Pick up kid from school

Practice choir songs

Laundry

Kid's soccer practice

Read research for class

Help kid study for spelling test

Second,

Figure out which of these you could pair together. Successful pairings would be high focus tasks with lower focus tasks. The rest can fit in wherever and whenever. So, here's how I'd pair them based on my typical day:

I'd pick up dry cleaning before lunch (it's close to where I'd be having lunch). Then meet sisters. Sisters need to do some shopping so we all do ours together.

Then, I'd pick up my child so they could help with baking cupcakes (quality time together).

The cupcakes would be in the oven while dinner is cooking (I'm already in the kitchen).

I'd also have laundry washing while I'm cooking and my child doing their homework in the kitchen with me so I can help them study for their test.

All day in the vehicle I'd be practicing my choir songs while I'm driving.

I'd put clothes in the dryer on my way out to soccer practice.

While my child is at soccer practice I'd be in the car reading my research paper (they should be practicing...not wondering what I'm doing).

When I got home from soccer practice, I'd run the clothes just 10 more minutes to dewrinkle (they've been sitting there for an hour or so) and then go ahead and put them up...after all, I've been sitting and could use standing up for a while.

If You'll Notice

These are all things which can naturally be done together...singing in the vehicle, sisters shopping together, kid baking with us and then doing homework while we're cooking, etc.

If you'll take the time to think of multi-tasking in this way you'll get so much more done in less time and with less stress.

Are you ready to begin managing your time better? Download my free ebook about Time Management for some wonderful ideas. Also visit me at There Must Be A Better Way