I've been having a hard time focusing on things for a couple of weeks now. When I read something, there would be times that I have to start over 'cause I wasn't able to understand what I was reading. Happens on audiovisuals too! Right after a 30 minute aid finishes, I'd be somehow clueless of what I've just listened to and realized that I have unconsciously thought of a different thing while listening to it. Things like this happens, yes. But mine happens FREQUENTLY and it's not doing any good.

Thoughts came to me while I was doing this palipad ng utak awhile ago. Here are the things I've observed that have already become very common to me: stays infront of the laptop while eating, blow-dries hair while listening to podcast, fixes things while watching TV and uses phone while walking. I realized that I was having this habit of MULTITASKING and thought maybe that's the reason behind these things. Well, I was right. Got so alarmed I even googled it. Lack of focus, memory impairment and increase stress levels are some of it's negative effects. Multitasking people tend to have a more difficult time tuning out distractions and also reduces 40 percent of their productivity. (By the way, I'm having this urge of clicking the Facebook tab above since it's blinking with notifications. But since I find it a form of distraction I'm not gonna entertain it until I finish this.) 
I wasn't aware of this until I noticed it's already affecting my routines and how I live life. How it took so much of my time, I could have done more things. So let me end this with these tips I found to stop this bad habit. (You could follow these if you're experiencing the same thing.) Here it goes:

  • Write down things-to-do: Learn to know what your priorities are. When new ideas come up, jot it down and go back to your original task.

  • Limit the distractions: Tell your friends, family or whoever when you are busy so they could leave you alone as you do stuff. Set hours for your availability, letting them speak with you about issues or whatever. Keep yourself attached to the seat until the job is done. Reward yourself with that personal phone call or cup of coffee instead of breaking off for every individual desire.

  • Use a mantra: Remind yourself of a simple phrase while you are doing a task. ‘I will get this done’ or a phrase of your choosing should be used repeatedly. Push yourself into finishing the job by emphasizing the importance of its completion. After all, once it’s done, it’s done.

  • Snap your fingers: When you feel yourself straying, snap your fingers. You might be drawn to the email. You might want to start on that report which is due in a few days. It can wait until you’re done.

  • Keep your desk clear: Out of sight, out of mind. Remove items for your next task from your desk. This will keep you completely aware of the task at hand, rather than allowing your mind to drift to more of your daily chores.

  • Make the decision: Make the conscious decision to do a task. Say to yourself, “I am doing this (task) now.” Repeat the statement each time that you feel yourself straying from the original goal and intention. This trains your brain to cut the extraneous and get to work.

 
REMEMBER: Do two or more things simultaneously, and you'll do none at full capacity.



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