The truth about multitasking & why I don’t do it

by | Mar 9, 2018 | Creative Entrepreneur | 0 comments

It’s likely true that at some point in your career you’ve boasted about being a fantastic multitasker on a resume or in an interview. I did. It was my number one crowning achievement, or so I thought. My ability to handle all the things at any given moment is what landed me management positions. And it’s still true to this day–I am a fantastic multitasker. I just choose not to do it anymore. Once the truth about multitasking was revealed to me, I quit cold turkey. And today, I’m going to share that perspective shattering truth with you.

But Joey, entrepreneurs have to multitask.

What if I told you that is untrue? What if I told you that multitasking may actually be the reason you still feel unproductive and unfulfilled when you lay your head down at night? Well, that’s what I’m telling you. Multitasking is actually counterintuitive to productivity. While you may feel that every single thing needs your attention at any given moment, you’ll actually find that you’re far more productive when you give one individual task and/or project your undivided, focused attention.

Managing multiple on-going projects simultaneously and multitasking are not the same thing.

Webster’s dictionary defines Multitasking as such; the performance of multiple tasks at one time. Think: answering the phone, finishing off an email, and signing for a package all at the same time.

Handling multiple on-going projects simultaneously means you are able to adequately manage your time to devote focused attention to see each project through to a successful completion.

Multitasking requires split focus. Split focus typically results in careless errors that require you to essentially do the work twice. This is not an efficient use of time, and it is certainly not something worth boasting about on a resume. When this was brought to my attention, I realized that while I could multitask, I didn’t like multitasking. Multitasking is closely related to overwhelm, and tell me–who performs well when they’re overwhelmed? Not me.

Now, managing multiple projects at simultaneously? Sign me up all day long! Many of you are likely obsessively organized people like myself. I nerd out over planners and project management software. I can dissect multiple projects into easy to manage, productive tasks in my sleep. Now that’s something to boast about.

So before you beat yourself up the next time you feel compelled to turn off your phone and simply focus on the task at hand, remind yourself of this little multitasking fact. While it’s great that you’re willing to handle all the things, you don’t have to do them all at once. In fact, it’s better if you don’t.

So take a sigh of relief, and maybe remove multitasking from your resume. 😉

If, as an entrepreneur, you still feel like your business cannot and would not function without multitasking, consider my boundary boss coaching sessions or the boundary boss coaching program. I’ll help you ditch the multitasking compulsion no problem!

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HI, I'M JOEY

Mama, indie author, wife, believer and friend.

My only hope is that while you’re here, you feel a sense of belonging, comfort and empowerment. Because life is too short to live it worried you’re not good enough.

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