Are you guilty of multitasking? I bet you are. Everyone tries, as much as possible, to finish the tasks for the day but there just is not enough time for everything! Multitasking enables you to do tasks all at once and this might do more harm than good. Let’s find out more.
Multitasking
With numerous activities daily that should be done, one cannot deny the fact that multitasking is an option – if you want to finish early and have more time for yourself. Multitasking for humans is the ability to perform more than one activity at the same time such as listening to music while doing reports or eating while driving inside the car. Anyone would’ve multitasked more than once daily especially when you are nearing a deadline and you are such a crammer you do it prior to the due date. Dividing up your attention among different tasks may not be the best option.
What to know about Multitasking?
With the curiosity about multitasking, many researchers opted to find out more about how it can either put you on a disadvantage – or not. Here’s what you should know about multitasking:
Pro:
- Increase efficiency – multitasking allows you to finish different tasks or activities in less time. It is ideal for people who does not know how to manage their time well and often ends up cramming on things.
- Increase resiliency – multitasking needs much focus especially when you want to finish quickly. It can strengthen your mental focus and also promotes flexibility of the mind.
- Increase productivity – Some tasks at work are often repetitive and does not have much impact on your work quality. Doing these simple tasks together can actually increase your productivity for the day.
Con:
- Declining quality – multitasking demands excessive urgency in finishing tasks, and this can actually decline the quality level of the work than as compared to those that were carefully done. There is room for plenty of mistakes too.
- Distraction – Multitasking may bring your focus to your current task, but it also keeps you distracted from the other activities that you should attend to. In the long run, multitasking may hinder you from focusing on important tasks as you got used to doing it.
- Misplaced Priorities – Doing things two at a time can also misplace your priorities. People tend to forget to give importance to a significant task when multitasking. They have a mindset that as long as the job is done, there is nothing to worry about and that is just wrong.
Mindfulness and Multitasking
We’ve defined mindfulness previously, it is defined as the state of being conscious and aware of one’s thoughts, feelings and even surroundings. It brings the focus of a person to the present moment and allows your mind to be away from all the worries and thoughts that you have. Mindfulness is not just a time for yourself, it is also an advantage especially when used at work.
Mindfulness works by taking a proactive approach and allows you to create your own plan for the day by maximizing the time that you have on your hand. It shifts your full attention on your current task effortlessly and effective. Multitasking may cause you to be productive, but it does not assure the quality of your work. By following your plans, you are being productive and at the same time ensures that your work is of good quality.
Multitasking causes a person to forget to prioritize work and give importance to it. Mindfulness makes sure that you have a real and enough progress especially on the important tasks.
Mindful Break at Work
Work can take a toll on a person’s health and life. We listed down few activities you can easily incorporate on your short breaks:
1. Move around – take a short walk or just go around the office for a few minutes. If you only have a minute, you may just stand for a few seconds and stretch your body. Changing one’s position after sitting for a long time brings the body to focus on the present moment and aids in relieving your mind and body from the stress caused by work.
2. Laugh more – did you know that being happy or laughing actually releases chemicals in our brain that is beneficial for us? Also, happiness lowers your stress level and relaxes your mind even for quite a bit of time.
3. Breathe – do short breathing exercises. Deep breathing is not only good for your lungs but it is also proven that it calms your mind and body, promotes blood circulation and boosts your energy.
Next time that you are pressed for time and you feel pressure. Always take a second to relax and breathe. Taking a short break may be just the game-changer that you needed. It pumps up your body, mind and life!