In today’s world, it’s a foregone conclusion that everyone multitasks, revelling in their ability to do so. This is especially true of professionals, who rely on their multitasking skills to get through the day. Believe it or not, multitasking is not only bad for your health but, according to research, almost impossible to do well.

Multitaskers share characteristics that include struggles with short- and long-term memory, paying attention, and processing information. While you may believe you’re successfully completing two or more tasks simultaneously, scientists have discovered that you’re actually rapidly switching between them. The end result? Instead of doing one thing well, you’re doing multiple things…poorly.

What can you do to fix this issue?

1. Stop procrastinating. Tackle either the hardest task first, or the one that will take the most brain power and energy.

2. Work on projects one at a time. It’s much more difficult to switch between different activities than similar ones. Avoid switching back and forth between writing and spreadsheet calculations, for example.

3. Delegate. Focus on the projects that you personally need to attend to

4. Reduce distractions. Turn off the ringer on your phone, only check your email at the top of every hour, and block your calendar so people know not to interrupt you.

5. Limit social media. If you really need to, schedule a time to check your profiles, but don’t allow yourself to become distracted.

The most important tip is not to multitask while driving. No texting, no phone calls, no last-minute conference calls via your headset. It may feel like your attention is equally divided, but in reality, you’re doing a disservice to each.

Need to continue working even while on the road? Call Boston Corporate Coach and let aBoston Corporate Coach™ chauffeur handle the driving while you handle your business from the comfort of the backseat.