Jun

25

How to Multi-Task Productively

Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

A common theme in my life over the past few weeks has been the need for focus due to inappropriate multi-tasking. Given the need in my personal life to manage my productivity more effectively, I decided to get some of my thoughts together, including a few new articles I came across. A CIO magazine article titled “Why More Is Less” by Megan Santosus, states that:

“a growing body of research evidence that indicates multitasking actually erodes, rather than enhances, productivity….. Switching from one job to another doesn’t work any better. Research indicates that that eats up more time than waiting to finish one job before beginning the next - an inefficiency that increases as the tasks at hand become more complicated.”

“Current cognitive models suggest that people have a limited amount of attention available at any moment,” says Seth Greenberg, a professor of psychology at Union College. “Attention could be thought of as a fuel that can be dispersed. Thus, tasks can be performed simultaneously with efficiency as long as the required attention for both tasks does not exceed the limit…….shuttling among two or three different pieces of work can be accomplished efficiently provided each one is relatively simple and they are adequately differentiated from one another. Where trouble arises, says Greenberg, is with problem-solving types of tasks, the kind that require creativity, integration of thoughts, and the generation of new ideas. Switching among such tasks demands a certain degree of downtime. The fuel cell of imagination can only be drained for so long before it needs to be recharged. Attempting to solve a problem with a dead imagination is a recipe for failure, not to mention a large waste of time.”

“a database analyst asked to switch among four projects will likely be 45 percent less productive than if she’s allowed to finish one before starting the next.”

Some tactics to bear in mind to ensure appropriate multi-tasking are:

  • Limit multi-tasking to simple tasks. Keep multi-tasking to simple tasks, that which does not require deep thinking, creative thinking or problem solving.
  • Set apart time and energy for important work. Give important work, work requiring deep thinking, problem solving or creativity and imagination, the quality, energy and time it deserves. This will mean you will need to persevere on an important task until it’s completed
  • Remove distractions and limit interruptions. When working on complex and important tasks, remove distractions, shut down your e-mail client, switch off your phone and TV, etc. Focused time and energy on important, complex tasks IS the most productive way to work!
  • Daily and medium-term planning is crucial. Without effective daily and medium-term (a 40 day window) planning, ensuring appropriate multi-tasking is impossible, you ultimately remain in crisis (multi-tasking) mode. Planning helps to schedule time for important and complex work which is best suited for focused attention.

“No one really multitasks. You just spend less time on any one thing.” - Edward M. Howell

“Multitasking is a chance to accomplish many things poorly, all at once.” - Stever Robbins

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Jun

17

Leadership: The Art of Translating Ideas into Action

Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

“The only difference between who you are today and the person you will be in five years will come from the books you read and the people you associate with” - Charles Tremendous Jones

This is true IF you apply the ideas from these books and people in your life!

There are two primary sources of ideas in our lives, the books we read and the people we meet! Books and people are great sources of ideas and as such, we should always to be seeking great idea books and great idea people. In our searching, we regularly stumble over ideas in books and conversations, if we’re not careful we simply get up and carry on walking! Gaining new ideas are important, however understanding how ideas change our perceptions, understanding and actions is even more important. It not just about intellectually understanding the idea we need to make sure we systematically integrate new ideas into our lives, in a manner that changes our thinking and ultimately our behaviour.

A recent article by Ed Brenegar, titled “Real Life Leadership: Practice is the best way to develop leadership skills” discusses the application of ideas in ones life. Some extracts from the article:

“What do you do when you come across a compelling, inspiring idea in a book or magazine article? Do you have a method for translating ideas into action?…… most books, even the most practical ones, are about ideas, not about practice……. The philosopher Aristotle 2,300 years ago saw that we grow into our success. As an artist learns how to use the tools of her craft, leaders develop the same way. We don’t quickly move from an idea to the successful application of that idea. We have to figure out the application through practice, through trial and error………. Let me ask you this: In the past six months, how many books have you started? Can you name one idea in any of them that has become incorporated into your leadership style or business practice? One idea that has become second nature to you?”…….Good ideas are curiosities. Great ideas create impact. Impact is the record of change. So, if you want an idea to affect your ability to lead, you have to learn to apply it.”

Ed, goes on to give some suggestions on what can be done to improve on translating ideas into action:

  • Focus on learning more about the idea. Look for other books and articles. Search the Internet for organizations that have applied this idea. Ask questions about the impact of the idea. Learn from others.
  • Identify the change you think the idea will bring. If you can see the difference that is made, you can see how the idea gets translated into action.
  • Stop looking for the next great idea. Focus on learning how to apply this idea. Create opportunities within your organization for exploration and discussion.
  • Start a weblog to chronicle what you are learning. Articulate your application for others. You’ll gain greater depth of understanding of the importance of the idea.

I recommend, starting a conversation, start by teaching your friends, family and associates the idea and discuss how it can be applied. Teaching something to others helps you to clarify the idea in your own mind.

A suggestion in a post from the “Talking Story with Say Leadership Coaching” blog, also caught my attention:

Second time readings are always the ticket to a book’s aha! moments for me. In the first reading I get an overview so I can grasp a book’s big points and I tend to read very quickly because I have to satisfy the immediate hunger to swallow the whole thing. With the second reading, everything I skimmed over makes more sense to me in the context of the whole, and stuff I somehow missed completely the first time around is elevated in importance, perhaps even more than the author had intended.

I started the practice of re-reading good books about a year ago, it has really helped me grasp a book’s ideas more fully and assisted with the integration of the ideas into my life.

Leadership is art AND science, the science of leadership can easily be learn’t in a classroom, but the art of leadership requires the translation of ideas into action!

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , ,