It’s easy to get into the habit of multitasking. 但是你做得更多了吗? 你真的变得更有效率了吗?

专家说不行. 根据 今日心理学, multitasking reduces productivity by as much as 40%.

While it may seem like you are doing two things at once, multitasking is essentially task switching—asking the brain to quickly switch from one unfinished task to another while leaving one or both without singular focus.

A Stanford University study by Clifford Nass found that frequent multitaskers performing higher cognitive tasks were mentally less organized. He also found that over time multitaskers struggled at switching from one task to another and differentiating relevant from irrelevant details—affecting how long it took them to complete a task. Not only is that inefficient, but it can also be exhausting.

There are several strategies you can use to get more things done effectively, 对客户做出回应, and not fall into the trap of multitasking:

划定休息时间,分清轻重缓急

Start your day by creating a list of what you can realistically get done and schedule those activities accordingly. Give yourself room to return phone calls and for unscheduled appointments. Having the available time will cut down on the stress from unexpected interruptions. When needed, delegate tasks and responsibilities so that your goals are realistic and achievable.

休息一下

不停地工作可能会导致精疲力竭. Give yourself a chance to catch up and refocus. Take a quiet moment to yourself, enjoy lunch away from your computer, or go on a short walk. A brief break can be energizing and make you more productive for the next activity on your list.

设定最后期限

Setting an ending point gives your mind expectations and a conclusion. 这种方式, you are not thinking about the previous project when starting a new one—a lingering effect referred to as attentional residue. The closure will allow you to focus your mental energy on the task at hand.

减少干扰

While technology is helpful, it can also divert your attention. 设置电子邮件提醒, 社交媒体应用, and your phone on silent to remove the temptation to check them in the middle of a meeting or project.

By organizing your day to minimize multitasking, you allow yourself to be fully present and more productive.