We’ve all heard the buzzwords: productivity, time management, organized thinking. They’re often thrown around without instruction or direction, and if you feel like your productivity potential is always just a little bit out of reach, you’re definitely not alone. We live in a modern world full of distractions. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted when you don’t have anything on your to-do lists. The next thing you know, you’re feeling guilty for not meeting your own productivity goals, deadlines loom to distract you further, and the whole rotten cycle continues.
The good news is that there is a productivity hack sweeping social media that may just be the answer we’ve all been looking for. If you’ve seen “monotasking” pop up on your TikTok feed and want to know what it’s all about or if you’re just feeling overwhelmed with a workload of which you can’t seem to scratch the surface, this article is for you!
What is monotasking exactly?
Monotasking simply means focusing on one task at the time. Although this may seem obvious, it can be difficult to master in today’s multitasking world where you are constantly being pulled in many different directions. Monotasking can feel like a daunting task. Many of us were taught from a young age to focus on one task. Monotasking requires that you turn off all distractions (yes even your phone) so that you can focus on one task until a milestone is reached, or a certain time has passed.
Monotasking: Why does it work?
Multitasking is a way to be unable to concentrate on just one task and instead quickly switch between several activities. Research shows that this lack of mental commitment and the mental blocks created by task-shifting can result in drastic decreases in productivity—even as much as 40% less than if you focused on a single task. Multitasking also increases your likelihood of making mistakes and forgetting things (we’ve all accidentally sent an email to the wrong person because we were doing too many things at once!).
The goal of monotasking is to reach a “flow state” where you can truly focus on what you’re doing without distraction. By removing external distractions like phone notifications and coworker interruptions, you can train yourself to concentrate solely on the task at hand and eliminate productivity breaks that naturally occur when you’re constantly shifting your focus between projects.
You’ve convinced me! How do you get started?
Planning is a key part of monotasking. What is the single task you will be focusing on? Do you have a goal or are you just working hard? Are you able to multitask or will you need a group to hold your hands accountable?
Once you’ve decided what task you’re going to attack and the parameters of your productivity goals, you need to set aside a good chunk of time to dedicate to monotasking. Your monotasking session should last at least an hour. This will allow your brain time to fully engage in the task, rather than just skimming the surface with 10- to 20-minute bursts.
Here are some tips for setting up a monotasking session:
- Decide on the one project or task that you’ll be working on for the session as well as what you’re hoping to achieve. You might have a specific goal or milestone you wish to achieve, or you may just want to get more done in the time you have.
- You should choose a time that you can work uninterrupted for at least an hour and add that time to any shared calendars.
- Avoid distractions. Turn off your phone, email, and social media notifications, and let your coworkers and friends know that you’re going offline for that time.
- Set your workspace up with everything you will need for the session so that you don’t have to get up throughout. Get a glass of water, your noise-canceling headphones, charging cables, and a jacket for when it gets cold. Don’t give yourself any excuse to go wandering during your monotasking time.
- You can set a timer. You might be able to get completely immersed in the session by using a manual timer.
What if I don’t want to monotask alone?
While it might seem like it could distract, it can be a great way for you to stay focused during monotasking sessions. The accountability of being in a group, even a virtual one, can be a really effective way of staying on task, especially when you’re new to monotasking. Set a time and then work silently for the allocated time. If you’re worried that monotasking with your friends could just end up being a social occasion and you’d rather work with a group of people that you don’t know, you may be interested in Spacetime Monotasking. This virtual community facilitates remote monotasking. Users choose a time that suits them, sign on, introduce themselves and the projects they’ll be working on, and then silently work together on Zoom. Spacetime Monotasking has two options for length: one-hour sprints or two-hour flows.
Source: The Every Girl