Multitasking is something we all want to be good at. We see it as a way to get on top of our workloads and to make the most out of our time. After all, we’re short on time, right? However, just because we can multitask our way through our personal and professional lives – doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a good thing.

We’re all short on time

No matter what stage our career is at, or in fact, whether we’re employed or self-employed. We all look at time as being in short supply. By learning to multitask, we can juggle several projects and tasks at once. In effect, we’re looking to get maximum amount of work into the limited time we do have.

Except it doesn’t always work like that.

Multitasking limits your focus

The problem with multitasking is you’re not giving each task the amount of focus it deserves, or indeed, it needs. To do your best work, you need to be able to focus on the task at hand. If you’re multitasking whilst with your family, you’re not giving your family your undivided attention. If you’re multitasking at work, you’re not giving those outstanding tasks and projects your undivided attention either.

And if you’re not giving something your undivided attention, it isn’t getting the best of you and you’re not doing your best work.

Look at the underlying reasons for your multitasking

Many people who multitask will tell you, they’re not doing it because they can – they’re doing it because they need to, and herein lies the real problem. For many, the reason they’re having to juggle tasks is their inability to say no, or a desire to prove they’re capable. For others, it’s a need for control and an inability to delegate.

One task, one focus

The ideal solution is to stop multitasking and opt instead, for taking on one task at a time. You then don’t take on another task, until this first one is finished. This way, you can give your undivided attention to the task at hand. Not only will this ensure you’re giving that task your sole focus, it also gives you the ability to do the job to the best of your abilities.

Learn to better manage your time

Another solution is to take back control of your time. If you’re constantly reminding yourself that you have no time, you’ll have no time! If you’re filling up your diary with appointments, without scheduling time to carry out any actual work, you’ll end up getting behind – leading to a greater need to multitask. If you have too much to do on a consistent basis, you need to free up some time and start delegating it out to others.

Find a middle ground

Unfortunately, even with the best diary management, delegation and boundary setting, there will be times where you do have multiple tasks on the go at once. You simply do not have the luxury of focusing on one task at a time.

If this is the case, look to find a happy middle ground. You can look at creating chunks of time throughout your day. You could then alternate the outstanding tasks with each new time chunk, ensuring each one gets your undivided attention for its chunk of time. Another option is to use something like the Pomodoro Technique® to give yourself the chance to generally take control of your time and your workload.

Multitasking isn’t the only solution to a busy workload. For many, it isn’t even a good idea, especially if you want to complete a project to the very best of your abilities. Often, if we look at the underlying reason for our need to multitask, we can solve the real problem and take control of our time and work, once and for all.