| Do you rarely keep your focus on one task at a | | | | of time to reflect on why you multi-task. It may |
| time? Do you take pride in your ability to | | | | go a bit deeper than attempting to accomplish as |
| simultaneously handle each email as it lands in your | | | | much as possible in the course of a day. |
| in-box, work on the monthly report for your | | | | Sometimes we multi-task to distract ourselves |
| boss, and do a little inconspicuous research on | | | | from an unappealing project. Play a mind game |
| tourist attractions for your upcoming vacation? If | | | | with yourself. Before your day begins, |
| you think back to the last ball game you | | | | contemplate on what you most do NOT want to |
| attended, did you spend a time sending text | | | | do today. Schedule a time to work on this task. If |
| messages to some friends? When you visit an | | | | you realize you are trying to procrastinate by |
| elderly relative, are your really paying attention to | | | | looking for something (anything) else to do, take a |
| the conversation or are you planning your to-do | | | | deep breath, resist the distraction, and return |
| list for the next day? | | | | your focus to the task at hand. |
| You may think you are getting more | | | | Sometimes we multi-task because technology |
| accomplished by pushing yourself to multi-task. | | | | creates incessant demands for our immediate |
| Switching back and forth between tasks seems | | | | attention via text messages, cell phones, instant |
| effortless; however, the brain must constantly | | | | messages, and emails. We can become addicted |
| process the new information it needs and | | | | to the adrenaline rush that these "urgent" |
| determine what it no longer needs to keep track | | | | interruptions generate, and they especially disrupt |
| of. Loading, unloading, and reloading the data | | | | a creative flow. Change your routine! Schedule |
| repeatedly causes the brain to work harder. As a | | | | blocks of time in your day when you decide to |
| result, you are creating much more unnecessary | | | | allow no interruptions. Turn off the phone ringers, |
| stress in your life. | | | | activate the "do not disturb" feature on your |
| Try focusing your complete attention on the task | | | | instant messaging system, and shut down your |
| at hand, staying completely present in the | | | | email program. Blocking out chunks of focused |
| moment. It may take some practice if the | | | | time to concentrate on project work like this will |
| multi-tasking habit is deeply ingrained. Take a bit | | | | make you more productive. |