Multitasking Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be!

Multitasking is alluring - it promises that you’ll get double the work done in the same amount of time.  But even as more of us try to accomplish two or three things simultaneously, studies show that multitasking is actually less efficient than focusing on one project at a time.  And juggling multiple duties can cause stress, which may lead to other health problems, such as arthritis flares, short-term memory loss and insomnia, ulcers, weight gain and more.

These tips will help you create a saner approach to tasks and projects:

1. Stay Focused.  A University of Michigan study showed that switching gears between projects can slow you down by as much as 50 percent, because you waste time trying to get ‘warmed up’ whenever you shift your focus between tasks.

2. Start Small.  When faced with a big project, most people turn it into a exhausting marathon.  But by breaking it up into bite-size pieces, you make the project more manageable.  So instead of trying to scrapbook a dozen shoe boxes of photos at once, start by sorting through a single shoe box.  You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that will spur you on to tackle the rest of the task later.

3. Know Your Limits.  Be realistic about what you can manage without compromising your health, energy level or schedule.  A bakery-bought birthday cake will be savored just as much as your homemade one, and you’ll still have plenty of energy to enjoy the party.

4. Ask for help.  If something is not that important to you, delegate it to someone else, or nix it altogether.  No one expects you to do it all, and neither should you.