Have you ever found yourself shuffling across different tasks? Multi-tasking. Trying to pick up one task after another, while also glancing here and there at different post-it notes, or other electronic screens — like a secondary or a third monitor, and an active tablet with notifications alerting you, or a smartphone ringing? Sounds like chaos. And it is chaos if you multi-task.
Chances are you’ll be exhausted much quicker if you do this kind of routine while studying, or while working. Multi-tasking doesn’t really work, credible studies says this. And personally, I also fail to get things done properly if I shuffle across different tasks.
Personally, I have a secondary monitor connected to my notebook computer. It helps when I’m working and studying. But what doesn’t help is trying to look at another screen to do something completely different or irrelevant from what you’re doing beforehand. In this case, from what’s being shown on the computer. Looking at a spreadsheet in one monitor, and looking at another work document open in a second monitor may work fine. If the information from these two screens are somewhat relevant to each other. And that, these two complement each other to build on a task that you need to do.
What doesn’t work is trying to do more than one primary thing, or one task at a time. And expecting super-human results from this practice. Again, multi-tasking doesn’t work, sadly, it’s not something sustainable for anyone.
What long-term studies suggest strongly, and also coming from personal experience, as I’m also a learner, is to only try to do just one thing at a time. Focus. And focus on just that one task. Until it gets done and this’ll free you up to do your next task. However, there could be very small sub-tasks along the way, this is okay, but the small sub-tasks for as much as possible, shouldn’t de-rail your focus from reaching completion of the primary task you’re trying to work on and finish. These sub-tasks that you encounter must be relevant and directly helpful to the primary task that you need to work on and finish at a time.
Remember, only do one primary task at one time. Don’t try to do more than one task at a given time. Doing different things simultaneously is a recipe for disaster later on — or, for massive burnout, if you work like this always.
Another important thing that we often overlook, especially speaking of myself, is a very messy desk or a cluttered workstation or work/study table.
Yes, a cluttered, or a very messy desk will de-rail your focus on your work task, or study session. Picture this, my friends — when you’re studying you suddenly see a post-it somewhere on your desk telling you to watch your favorite program on apps like Netflix, or whatnot. And another thing on your desk makes your mind wander on another fully different thing, like perhaps a guitar tablature that you’re trying to study about. Or you may see a notification from your smartphone calendar reminding you of a job interview that’s upcoming in a few hours. These things along with what you’re previously and primarily doing all will compete for your mind’s processing capacity.
Some times, and this is often times for me, it is best to have less stuff on your desk. A minimalistic approach especially to what you see on your desk or workstation as you do your study or work — really helps with focus.
One way you could improve focus is firstly not trying to multi-task, or at least not doing more than one task at a time. Secondly, which does help me a lot, is try to keep your workstation or study area/table tidy and clean. Don’t put too many post-it notes. After each study or work session spend a few minutes clearing up clutter, or cleaning a little after yourself. Keeping your worktable free from unnecessary clutter will help you a lot.
Natural light from the sun, but not direct light from the Sun, helps also. If possible, put your worktable near a window. Where natural light coming from the Moon, or the Sun reaches your body and your eyes somehow. Studies show, that folks whose work desk receives natural light from the Sun has shown improved productivity, a better social life, and is healthier in terms of the body and mind.
Another thing are notifications or alerts from your mobile phone also de-rail your focus. Too much notifications, alerts, and electronics ringing to get your attention are productivity blockers.
Personally, I don’t know how it works with iOS, on an iPhone, as I have never owned one before. Nor have I used an iOS telephone for work, for study, or for personal stuff and whatnot. For the most part, I have only been able to work with an Android telephone. Which, I think is just as good as its iOS counterpart. I think Android is just as good as iOS.
Anyway, my friends, what I meant to say is — try to disable notifications and alerts from your phone when you’re focusing on work or study. At least put your telephone on silent mode while you’re working or studying. Pick up your phone only after roughly 100 mins of focus time (this is roughly 4 tranches of the “pomodoro” technique focus time of 25 mins each). Picking up your telephone and then seeing all the notifications and other apps that compete for your attention can and will quickly de-rail your productivity. Over a short time while browsing on social media for instance, you’ll instantly feel like no longer studying or working. Lethargy comes if you spend too much time on your telephone. So try to put your phone away from sight and from your reach when you’re studying or working.
Well, I hope these are helpful to you also.
Some simple things that I can also do and make consistently helps me. And I think it’ll help you also in your learning journey.
This brings us to the end of this post, my friends.
Salamat po! And, may God bless every body.
Hello there! How are you? My name is Abraham, or, Abe to all my friends, acquaintances, and family.
I’m a young dad, an uncle, an older kuya, and a son. I love learning and putting things together when it comes to small projects around computers, and tech. And for me, I also love food, everyday drink — like coffee, and most furry creatures — like good doggo doggos (goofy doggos), and chonky (very fat, almost circular and literally round) cattos. ^_^ Anyway, I hope good animals also make you chuckle, my friends.
Recently, I was hired to work as an engineer in I.T., specializing in looking after web-servers, maintenance, and a few other stuff.
Thank God! From my end, I had been dreaming to become an engineer in I.T., and have been studying for it for a time now.
We mustn’t stop with our training and study. For we’ll need to keep learning in order for us to remain helpful.
Nawa, ang Panginoon’g Diyos ang Siyang purihin, dakilain, at pasalamatan sa ating mga gawain, at salita.
My friends, may the Lord our God be glorified, honored, and praised – through the kind of work that He called us unto.
Thank you, and for now, that’s mostly it for me. Salamat po!