|
  
     
   |
The Art of Multi-tasking
If it seems
like there is less time to get things done,
you’re not alone. There always seems to be
laundry piling up, bills to be paid, phone calls
to make. So why is it that some people can get
through the day, while you are floundering,
barely able to keep your head above water?
Aside from the fact that those people are
possibly more organized than you, they may have
learned the art of multi-tasking. That is, the
ability to do two things at once.
Okay,
you say, that’s all well and fine, but if you
try to do too much at once, you lose
concentration, and mess up, thus defeating the
purpose. You’re right. Doing too much at once
can cause more problems than the ones you are
trying to solve. So you must learn to
multi-task correctly. Here are some tips that
will help guide you.
MANAGING ERRANDS
·
Map out your locations—At the beginning of the week, look at where you
need to go, and how to get there. If some
businesses or errands are located near each
other, or on the way to or from a meeting, do
your errands accordingly. The less times you
have to go out, the more time you will have to
yourself.
·
Share with a friend or neighbor—Does your neighbor have to go to the
cleaners or library also? Swap locations with
them, perhaps even on a regular basis. If you
find yourself always passing the post office,
but have to go out of your way to the Pet Store,
see if someone you know goes in that direction
and can help you out. Make sure you offer an
errand in return.
·
Use children’s schedules to your advantage—Does it seem you are
spending too much time sitting at practices, or
waiting in the pediatrician’s office? You can
use this time to your advantage. Take mail or
magazines with you to catch up on your reading.
Or grab that handy bill-paying tote, and write
out checks while you wait. Also, if you spend
too much time driving back and forth, consider
carpooling or staying at the practices or park
district classes. Always have a small
notebook and pen in your purse or car. You can
use extra time to jot down lists for shopping or
tomorrow’s errands.
·
Use driving time wisely—Although it is not safe to do too much of
anything else while driving, there are a few
things which can be done if caution is taken.
For example, put in an audio tape of a book
you’ve been meaning to read. Or make that quick
call (hands free of course) to your sister about
the upcoming menu for the barbecue she’s
hosting. Keep a small tape recorder in the
glove compartment to dictate notes to yourself.
Just remember that driving is your priority.
MANAGING CHORES
·
Invest in a hands-free accessory for your phone—So much can be done
while on the phone, especially if it is a social
call. Your free hands can be washing dishes,
clipping coupons, or brushing the dog. And the
accessory will also be easier on your neck.
Just remember not to do anything which may be
inconsiderate, such as loud background noises
(vacuuming), eating, or concentrating so hard on
the second task that you don’t pay attention to
the caller. Also, I do not advise doing this
while on a business call. You need to focus
while conducting business. Give the caller your
full attention.
·
The television is your friend—We all have our favorite programs we like
to watch. You may tape them to watch them at
your convenience, or sit down to watch them
while they are on. Either way, use the time to
do something else. Fold the laundry, pay bills,
or clip articles and recipes from magazines.
Television may be your down time, but if there
is something that can be done, go ahead and do
it.
·
Technology is your friend—This can be any form of electronics, from the
computer to a CD player. Put on those
headphones while vacuuming, and listen to a
taped lecture or audio book. Do a search for
that new medication on your computer while
stirring the pasta for dinner. Download photos
from your digital camera while washing dishes.
There is always some quick little task that can
be done while waiting for the computer to turn
on or download a page.
MANAGING THE FAMILY
·
Get children on the same schedule—While it is impossible to get
everyone in the household on the exact same
schedule with all the work, school and
extra-curricular activities, get as many as you
can together. Have the younger ones nap at the
same time. If your daughter has to eat early
because of soccer practice, have dinner ready
early for everyone. If your son needs his
baseball uniform washed, throw in other laundry
at the same time. If you are making lunches for
your children in the evenings, throw something
together for yourself and your husband also.
That will mean less trips to the fridge, and all
the lunch bags will be ready to grab in the
morning.
·
Get cooperation from others—You can’t do this alone. Even children as
young as five can learn do help out around the
house. For example, if you’re gathering up
laundry while talking on the phone, have your
little ones go around the house looking for
random socks under the sofas and beds. If you
are clipping coupons, have your older children
sort them into piles according to food groups.
If you are vacuuming, have your son help move
the furniture for you. If your husband needs
his suit cleaned for a business trip, give him
those sleeping bags to take along for laundering
also. Instill in your family that the more
they help you out, the more free time you will
have with them as a result.
So the
next time you pick up the car keys, grab the
checkbook, or start filling the laundry basket,
ask yourself if there is something else you can
be doing at the same time. Just use caution in
trying to do too much at once, or not being able
to focus enough to do things well.
|
