As a business owner it’s likely you spend your day trying to manage a variety of tasks often talking with a client on the phone while trying to answer emails. It’s been shown that the more someone multi-tasks the less efficient, accurate and focused you become. Do you even know what kind of tasks you handle on any given day? Do you feel at the end of the day like you haven’t really accomplished anything?
Consider these tips to help stop the multi-tasking cycle:
- Stay away from distractions – stay away from anything that can distract you and delay you from the key tasks at hand. Don’t sign into Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin or any other networking site you like to access on a regular basis. Only sign in when that is the task at hand, other than that close the windows.
- Turn off the ringer on your phone – If someone calls they’ll leave a message and those important know how to get a hold of you if it’s an absolute emergency. Not being distracted by the phone allows you to focus on your immediate task at hand. You’ll be more focused and complete your task.
- Turn of your gadgets & if you can access to the internet – If you’re like me the idea of turning off access to the internet is not feasible, since my work is done completely while having access to the internet, but if you can turn off the internet and all the other gadgets to concentrate on the tasks at hand.
- Make a goal to complete the task before you move on – No matter what you are doing, complete it before staring a new task. If it’s part of a project complete that aspect of the project and then move on to the next. While you’re at it keep on what you need for the current task on your desk. If you have multiple items on your desk the chance of getting distracted is just that much easier.
- Deal with the most unattractive task first – There’s always something, something you don’t want to do and you’re likely doing everything in your power to avoid it. This doesn’t get it done, do it first get it over and done with then feel the benefit of having accomplished something you didn’t want to tackle.
Bonus Tip….
- Track it to get clear – Do you at the end of the day often wonder where you spent your time? Try my Task and Time Analysis Consultation along with Rescue Time, yes it takes a little while to set it up but it provides you reports on how you have spent your time on the computer, it won’t track activities off the computer though.