Simon Tyler

2. You are double tasking

It’s a sure sign you’ve reached the land of the two O’s (overwhelmed & overcommitted) when your productivity engine  gets you attempting two or more things at a time. Busy days can drive this false economy – emailing whilst on a conference call, attending a meeting whilst mentally preparing for the next one, and dare I suggest it, texting whilst driving.

Brain science has shown that we can only truly be effective at one conscious task. As soon as we mentally split on more than one , whilst it appears possible, we block access to our sub-conscious capabilitites which liberate our excellent potential.

Just below the conscious surface we are busy sensing things, the enviroment we are in, the sounds, sights, feelings, smells and tastes all around us. These brilliant sensory clues sharpen our ability to know what’s going on at a given moment. In addition our amazing brains are accessing files and information to match the sensory data. Block this channel and you make mistakes, you become LESS effective, not MORE. You’ll mis-hear the intonance in a message, you’ll get caught unawares, you’re ability to communicate is reduced.

Step One – STOP DOING IT! – it’s just not worth it, you won’t be at your best and the assumed extra productivity is never realised.

Step Two – when you catch yourself double-tasking, laugh at yourself (much more empowering start point thatn haranging), and decide which task this moment is calling for, and do it, drop the other.

Step Three – A double tasking urge is a call to PAUSE. Take 5 minutes follow the Pause tips in the newsletter and return to the task/s. Have a look at the next 2 to 3 hours and carve out the time to complete the competing task.

You don’t get double brilliance by double tasking, more likely half & half.

Enjoy the comparitive ease and liberation of working on one conscious task, brilliantly.

At your best, you are incredible.

Good luck and keep me informed.

ST