Multitasking Isn’t Impossible
Current Tasks: writing a blog post, being mindful of my posture, and waiting for my laundry
Hear me out, I’m not claiming that the concept is efficient. It’s not hard to find articles and people swearing by how multitasking doesn’t work. But I’m claiming that it’s not impossible. Multitasking is about how you define it.
I’m working up to 30 hours a week, taking two summer courses, writing a thesis, and keeping up something that resembles a social life. Yes, it’s chaotic and requires a lot of tools to keep myself accountable and organized. But to me, it’s about making time for all the things you want to do whether that’s in a day, week, or year. When you look back at the memories you made time for and the things you accomplished, you’ll remember the moments over the time you spent planning for them.
It’s about making time for all the things you want to do whether that’s in a day, week, or year.
When we think about multitasking, we all too often define it as something out of our scope. It doesn’t have to include writing a paper, conference calling, and walking your dog at the same time. Multitasking can be as simple as incorporating a work task with a daily habit or personal goal.
I have some examples.
Take a Podcast for a Walk
Tasks Achieved: Leisure Movement, Knowledge Intake, Non-Screen Time
I’ve been trying to incorporate reading into my life for a long time. I even thought that the sunshine that came with summer would help. I was looking for more storytelling and finally getting to those self-help books everyone kept recommending. Nope — but podcasts helped me get that content!
On the days that I spend in front of a computer all day, I like to find time to get my daily step goal in by going outside. Instead of playing music, download a few podcasts before you step out of the door. Try picking episodes that cover a range of your interests just in case your mood or appetite for content changes while you’re out. I like to keep some motivational, lifestyle, personal development, tech, and interview podcasts on hand.
If you can’t be away from your computer for long, try a podcast while you take a short coffee break, stretch, or one of those autopilot work tasks.
Side note: I wanted to make a joke of sorts that played with “pod” since we all used to take our iPods out for walks but I think you get it.
One View Shows All
Tasks Achieved: Organization, Workflow Optimization, Chaos Minimization
Like a hike, I do it for the view.
Find tools that keep similar things in quick, compact, and/or customizable views. It depends what you’re looking for! For email, find ways to display what you want to see. Superhuman incorporates social media profiles from LinkedIn to Twitter for the context you’re looking for. I use a Chrome extension, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, as a free Gmail add-on for almost the same thing. Even things like desktop sticky notes are great for ongoing lists and reminders I want one-click away.
Another organizational tool with all the custom views you could want: Notion. Take a look at their templates to see the things you can organize in all of the ways you were looking for!
Meal Time = Social Time
Tasks Achieved: Social Interaction, Sustenance Intake, Non-Screen Time
On any given day, there are a few things I like to do including eating and socializing among other essentials like sleep.
Most of my social plans involve or mostly, revolve around eating. Exploring new restaurants and ice cream shops are high on my priority list so that’s another bird I’ve hit with this stone! Treat yourself after a day of work with good food, great company & conversation, and a different setting.
When I’m eating at home, sometimes I try and keep my productivity up but I find that typing on a keyboard isn’t as efficient with one hand than it was with two. If not with people, you’re probably watching an episode on Netflix anyway. Go socialize! And yes, I do count social things as productive things.
Take Advantage of Your Inspiration
Tasks Achieved: Mood Alignment, General Productivity, Personal Satisfaction
Do things when you feel inspired to do them. It seems simple but it is the one thing I have allowed myself to indulge in especially for my writing. I walked out of the coffee shop and was deciding between going home or taking a walk to the beach. I decided to take the walk because I would also make time to listen to a podcast simultaneously. That’s when this idea hit. While glancing between my phone and residential crosswalks, I wrote the notes and outlined this blog post. A checkmark for productivity if you ask me!
When you’re inspired and you’re doing what you want to do at that moment, the work feels easier. Your productivity feels more satisfying when you leverage your inspiration. Inspiration is hard to come by, take advantage of it.
That, you can trust me on. I’m a self-declared writer. Have you ever tried writing when you haven’t been inspired? I have and I don’t like it.
You can probably find tons of examples where you’re already multitasking or at least pipelining different parts of your life.
Don’t @ me. Remember, I didn’t promise anything about efficiency! Figure out what works best for you. That part’s on you. ✨
