Are You a Multi-Tasker?

Many people are proud to announce that they are – but is it a good thing? Multi-tasking can be detrimental to your productivity and health. In a recent study, it was reported that multi-tasking can lower your iq more than Marijuana! The constant checking email, iphones, Twitter, Social Sites, outside distractions can be draining and also means that you are not functioning to your full potential.

Add this to any other friction within your life and you are heading for disasterville!

In an ideal environment, we’d have a nice office at home where we could go and work in peace. We wouldn’t have other commitments through-out the day, we could just…. work!

No school runs, no shopping, no housework, no friends swinging by for coffee (because they know and RESPECT the fact you are working) and no children wanting something every five minutes!

The reality is that many people working from home don’t have a separate room to work in, their office is their kitchen, lounge or bedroom, the housework is mounting up around their ears, the fridge is bare, the washing basket is spilling over and the children do want something every five minutes.

You’re fully aware that when you are on the computer, and all this is going on around you, you should be working – focusing on your business – but how can you be organised online when there is so much disorganisation around you?
That niggling feeling of knowing that a whole load of stuff needs doing leads you into a flurry of stop.start.stop.start.
This kind of behaviour can lead to feelings of despair, helplessness and you may often find that these feeling spill into your non-working life as there are no definitive lines between the two.

When you start to get snippy with your partner and children, it’s time to sit down and re-evaluate how you spend your day.

You may feel like you are not getting the support that you need from your family. Sit them down and explain how you feel. Tell them you are trying your hardest to create an additional stream of income that will greatly benefit you all, but without the help and support you need – it will only ever remain a pipe dream or you’ll drive yourself to the brink in the process.

Older children can help with chores and if you have older and younger – then they can also help a little with childcare. Husbands and partners can come in from work and cook a meal a couple of evenings a week. It’s not beyond their capabilities – and if it is, have something simple that you have pre-prepared or stick to something like soup with a crusty roll.

Try and put your day into blocks rather than merging it all in to one. What I mean by this, is actually visualize the day ahead as sections containing achievable tasks rather than an endless day with a jumble of jobs.

Write lists of the jobs you wish to accomplish, but don’t put an unrealistic amount of things down because it will only end in feelings of failure if you don’t achieve it all.

Keep your lists small and you will experience feelings of achievement which will then lead to motivation and more success.

And always keep in the forefront of your mind that what you are doing is amazing and what you are achieving is something to be incredibly proud of. Remember that you’re not alone, there are many other amazing women out there building businesses and we’re all here to support you through it.

Photo Credit Mattox

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