Focus on ONE Thing at A Time

So you think you can MULTI-TASK? Talk on the phone, write an email, switch songs on your ipod, and contribute good ideas to the conversations, all at the same time?
Well, we all try and do it of course but new research has shown some interesting results about true focus.
A study by Uni of California found that distracted individuals (ie: multi-taskers) store information in a part of the brain that is different than that of the more focussed learners. And the result is they can't recall the information as easily, as the focussed learners.
Plus Uni of Michigan researchers believe multi-tasking is flooding our bodies with stress hormones and adrenaline which can lead to long-term health problems. (Source BRW Sept 3, 08)
Just one thing left to do then........ONE THING AT A TIME! Yes truly focus on one thing at a time and do it really well.
However, I also believe in good use of that time - so even though you may focus on one thing at a time you can have a few of those one things going at the one time. So you can get dinner started by putting the water on to boil, then put a load of washing on while you wait for it to boil, and then write a blog post from the notes you made on the train on the way home, and then chop up the vegies, then find a good podcast to listen to while having your dinner.......and so on! But each time you focus on that one activity to ensure you do it really well.
Same works at work!
When you are focussing on your task delete as many of the distractions that may hinder that focus. Turn off the MSN thing that has you know when your friends have come online, don't have the little envelope come up in your toolbar when you have email (so you are not tempted mid-blog post to go and check that one or two emails that may have come in that are not important really!.....yes I resisted!)......and just focus. You will do it faster and better!
So bring on the multi-tasking but one task at a time.