Is Multi-tasking a Myth

For a long time, I’ve (proudly) considered myself a highly effective multi-tasker.  However, the jury is officially out as to whether multi-tasking is even possible, much less if it actually helps you get more done.  A recent scientific study by the American Psychological Association that states that whether people toggle between browsing the Web and using other computer programs, talk on cell phones while driving, pilot jumbo jets or monitor air traffic, there is a “cost” that comes along with it. At the surface, this makes sense, and while my husband couldn’t be happier to hear this as it fits his preferred method of single threading his tasks (I can physically see him restraining from saying ‘See!’), I am still resistant to the idea that doing one thing at any given time is ideal.  As with most things, I think there is a good balance and moving too far to either end of the spectrum is not optimal.

Based on all that I have read, there is no true multi-tasking, but rather task-switching and some of us are better at it than others.  Here are a few Dos and Don’ts of task-switching that I think will help all of us maximize our efficiency without sacrificing our effectiveness.

DO when you can combine two activities when one of them is a routine task.  This can actually enhance productivity over doing them separately. For example, taking a walk and taking care of phone calls can work well.  Walking/pacing is said to increase blood flow to your brain and actually enhance your thinking power.  Cleaning while you work out a tough problem in your head often will lead to a more creative solution.  Many people do the crossword while they eat breakfast in the morning.

DON’T when you are learning something new.  Splitting your mind power when you are trying to take in new information is not effective.  The truth is your mind can’t actually concentrate on two things at once.  Rather, what we refer to as multi-tasking is the ability to switch back and forth quickly without losing much ground in the process of switching.  When working with concepts that you are just learning, giving it some focus is the fastest and most successful approach.  Otherwise, you can find yourself re-reading, re-listening in perpetuity.  This happens to me a lot when I try to multi-task while reading a new book.  I keep re-reading the same paragraph to ‘catch myself back up’.

DO when you can find tasks that are similar in context.  The mind has amazing abilities to process parallel tasks, as long as they aren’t using the same parts of the brain. For example, cooking and creating a grocery list are two different tasks, but in a related head space making them easier to switch between.  Of course, if you don’t normally cook or you are making a recipe for the first time, this may lead to a different result.

DON’T when you are having a conversation with someone.  First, it’s rude.  Second, there is no chance that you are engaging fully if you are trying to juggle multiple priorities during a conversation.  That means you are likely only engaging only while you are doing the talking, and not while someone else is.  It is fairly obvious to everyone (even on a conference call) when you are playing this game.  And nobody is buying it when you say, “you broke up just then, can you repeat the question” when you realize you are being called on during the call but have no idea why.  Doing this just a few times will give you a reputation as unreliable or even disinterested.  Remember, when you are the one leading the conversation, you will want their full attention of the other attendees.

Conquer Clutter Creep

Most of us are familiar with the clutter merry-go-round.  You clean off whatever spot that is in your house that is the "place" where everything lands.  It could be the kitchen table, the office, the island, the laundry room.  It's generally just inside the house, and the place where everyone seems to drop off their day on the way in the house.  The kids school papers, the mail, whatever else got used and not put away.  When you do clean it off, it feels amazing!  You promise yourself it will never again look like it did before you cleared it off.  Then...it happens.  It starts with one thing...then a corner, and suddenly, it is full again.  Clutter creep!

It happens to the best of us...but below are a few different strategies that might work for you.  I actually oscillate between them as I find that I can only stick with one of them for a period of time before I start to slip.

1) Nightly reset.  Before you go to bed, make sure you are back to zero items.  You'll find that not only do you straighten up the problem area, but you'll generally pick up other areas as well.  While a pain in the moment, it is well worth the effort when you wake up in the morning.  There is nothing like starting the day with the zen of a clean space.

2) Redirect the traffic.  Sometimes simply moving the place solves the problem.  By putting the kabosh on just dumping things as soon as you walk in the door, you may find that things actually find their proper home.  There is some change management that comes with this approach and you'll have to lead the way through example, but done well, this can actually provide a more long term solution through changing the behavior.

3) Give in and organize the space.  Realizing that you aren't going to be able to redirect, and depending on where this place is in your house...is there a way to organize the area so that when things are dropped there, they can be done so in a way that isn't just piling it on top of each other.  For example, if the laundry room or office are the spot, can you add a set of baskets that are designated for incoming mail, school papers, etc.  A set of hooks for keys.  Place the paper shredder right there, so that junk mail can be quickly disposed of.  If this is your kitchen table or kitchen counter like it is for me, this isn't a very viable option, but worth some consideration otherwise.

Whichever works for you, or even if none seem to, keep fighting the good fight.  I find that when I have a handle on this key area, everything else seems to fall in line as well.

Get results through inspiration, not insistence

"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another." - John C. Maxwell

Often we are asked to lead projects, initiatives or causes that require bringing together a team of people for a common goal.  In our crazy world where the pace is the speed of light, we are inundated with more asks than we could ever answer, and personal goals often overshadow the greater good, this can be a tall order.  

The people who succeed consistently do so by inspiring people to jump in the boat with them rather than assigning them an oar and shoving them in.  I've seen a few people in my life do this really well and I aspire to be like them.

It sounds hard; and it is.  But it's worth the effort.  If you have seen the movie Finding Nemo, you know the power of getting the momentum of a group headed in one direction.  It's exponentially more effective than the most valiant efforts of the leader alone.  Also, from my experience, when everyone is pulling, the results will often far exceed the not only the original goal but even what was imagined as possible.

  So, how do we do it?  I'm not entirely sure what the full recipe is, but below are a few principles that feel like the right place to start.

Believe in the mission.
There is nothing less inspiring than a leader whose heart isn't in it.  If you don't believe in what you are doing, nobody else will either.  Have a clear vision of what the mission is, why you care about it, and why others should too.  If you don't have this, start again.

Run up the hill.
Rather than dragging people up the hill, pushing them from behind or running aside screaming for them to go faster, just run ahead.  Chances are good that people will follow you.  Not because they have to, but because they want to.  Being out in front is a risk, but watching from a safe distance is an even bigger one.

Cheer the loudest.
It's important to get momentum, but don't fool yourself into thinking that everything will go smoothly after that.  Stay engaged, celebrate the small victories and keep running, even when you are in quicksand.  Recruit others to join (not replace) you in the effort to keep the team strong and focused.

"A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes.  It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results." - Wade Boggs

Summer Bucket List

How can 4th of July have come and gone already?  Several friends of mine define this holiday as the 'midpoint of summer'.  While I'm not sure I agree, or at least don't want to think of it that way, I guess it is as close as we have to a mid-summer checkpoint.  As a kid, I remember summers being epic, awesome, endless, and amazing.  As a parent, I feel pressure to ensure that my children have those same feelings.

I have made mistakes on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to summer vacation.  I have announced that we are going to relax and have no schedule.  In a week, we are all bored.  I have scheduled the whole summer with 'special events'.  By the end, we are all exhausted.

A few years ago, we implemented something that has worked well, the Summer Bucket List.  The basic premise is, a few weeks before summer starts, we ask the kids "What things do you REALLY want to do this summer?"  They give us their short lists and my husband and I add a few too.  By the way, items on the list can be as simple as a picnic in the park.

Once you have a complete list, narrow it down based on a few criteria.

• Remove the 'fly to the moon' type requests that inevitably are there.  
• Make sure there is a mix of traditional things and new experiences.  If lacking in either, ask for more ideas or add them.  
• Determine who will be involved in which activities. Within reason, I let the kids pick the things that they want to do by adding their initials to the narrowed down list.  This can be interesting with teenagers who think of family time as a necessary evil.  I'm a big believer in quality time with everyone together, yet also realize that we have varied levels of excitement for certain outings due to gender, age, or interests.  It's perfectly reasonable to have a mix of plans where everyone goes and others where it is some of the family.
• Finalize the list with a reasonable number of items.  Reasonable is the key word, it depends on your family, what else you have going on and how much you like to run.  

Post the list where everyone can see it and cross them off as you get to them.

Don't let summer slip away, create your Summer Bucket List today!

Change is coming. Surprised?

I walk into my favorite grocery store, and proceed along my familiar path.  Almost mindlessly, I'm pulling our standard items into the cart, then wait...what?  I come to the first item on my list that isn't in its regular place.  I make the assumption (grounded in hope) that this must mean it is out of stock. I continue, but there is a nagging feeling in my stomach.  Next aisle, oh no, half the shelves are empty, and what is there isn't in the right place.  You guessed it...a product placement re-plan. Ugh, I don't have time for this...can't anything be easy!?!  Overreaction?  Of course.  The marketer in me understands why this is important to their business, but this unplanned disruption of my routine is still unwelcome.  In a world where change is constant, why is it always so unexpected?

The example above may seem trivial, but it is a simple way of understanding how change affects us and how to deal with it in a more productive way.

Acknowledge the change.  Be aware of your surroundings and know when things are changing.  Understand what is changing and how it might affect you (it's possible it won't and you can stop worrying)

Accept or Reject.  Of course, there are situations where life forces change on you.  However, just as often, we have a choice.  While we can't necessarily stop the change from coming, we can determine how to respond.  In my grocery story, I could choose to learn the new layout or simply go to another store that I'm familiar with.

Make a Plan. Whether the change is a simple one like a grocery layout or something bigger like a re-org at your workplace, you will need a plan of how to manage the change.  Think through what other inputs you need, and what steps you need to take in order to absorb the change.

Give it Time.  Change is constant, and some changes will be easier than others.  For those that are not a big deal, try not to turn them into one.  For those that are, give yourself a little time to adjust.

Chaos? Step back!

Whew!  Life can get crazy.  In fact, often times it seems that one crazy day leads to a crazy week, to a crazy month, and so on.  This has been happening to me lately for a variety of reasons.  It's less important what is causing the crazy, and more important how we manage it.

When my life starts to spin out of control, and it doesn't feel like I can stop the spinning, I like to take a few steps back, and look at the big picture.  Keep moving back one step at a time, until things are clear again.  

Now, what are the really important things?  What matters?  If you had to write a personal mission statement, what is really going to help you realize those goals.  Once I have a perspective, I can make a list of things of things to do and sort.  Tasks will fall into a couple of categories: HAVE TO, WANT TO, NOT NECESSARY.  

Next, make a first pass through the list and eliminate the not necessaries.  Be brutal.  Give special consideration to those items that do not support one of your main goals.  What is the reason it is on the list?Something has to give.  Make a second pass, and decide if each item is a HAVE TO or a WANT TO.  Either is valid, but be honest about which bucket it falls in.  

For the have to items, go down the list and assign due dates.  Look at your schedule, and factor in the have to items based on dates.  Now, go back and fill in the want to items where you have opportunity in your schedule.

This simple method will keep you thinking about those things that are highest priority without spending time on things that really aren't important.

Business Conference Success: Prepare, Participate, Pursue!

Business conferences...most of us will find ourselves participating in at least one at some point.  Whether you love them or hate them, it only seems logical that if you are going to spend your precious time there, you should maximize the benefits.  Following a few simple steps can go a long way toward reaching this goal.  Through the week, check off the objectives as you complete them.  This will keep you focused and also make sure that in the hustle and bustle, you are coming away with the key goals accomplished.

Prepare: In advance of the conference, give some honest thought to what the key items are that you want to get out of it.  This could be connecting with old or new acquaintances, learning a particular skill, or getting a particular set of questions answered.  Narrow it down to 3-5 key initiatives that you want to accomplish and jot them down in a notebook or store as a note on your phone...something you will have with you at the conference.

Participate: Why sit in the back of the room checking your watch?  Be in the moment...engage! Maybe the subject is fascinating to you, maybe it isn't...but you are there...so make the best of it.  We've all heard the saying "You get out of it what you put in".  Well, it's true.  Not just in conferences, but in life.  It sounds fluffy and cliché, but clichés come from somewhere. :) 

Pursue: If you walk away at the end and nothing has changed, you just wasted your time and money.  You set goals at the start.  Assuming you achieved them, there should be an action after the conference to either continue a relationship, put new knowledge to work, or practice a new skill learned.  Go make things better, in some big or tiny way, and the conference was worth your time.

Set a plan, execute it, and come away with something you didn't have before.  That's how you get the most out of a business conference.