It would seem that multi-tasking is the way of the 21st
century. While most of us multi-task to some degree or another, there is an
unforeseen drawback to keeping everything moving at the same time. As I’ve
learned from my study of martial arts, when multi-tasking one runs the risk of
not doing everything at the same
level of quality. The perception is that one is saving time…but at what cost?
Simple mistakes are often made (e-mails, letters) and quality is often
sacrificed. In fact, multi-tasking can result in readdressing some items that
were not fully completed the first time. The adage “Haste makes waste” still
rings true today…and for good reason. So what is an efficient alternative? Most
of us have only become busier yet many seem to think we have endless time to
complete tasks. Although it sounds like a slower alternative, the answer is to
tackle each project one at a time with a completely focused effort. This means
nothing else can occupy your mind (or your desk) except the task at hand. The
reason why this may not have worked for many is that daily tasks are usually
mixed with daydreaming, texts, phone calls, coffee breaks, etc. When you
eliminate everything but the main event (so to speak), you will not only finish
much quicker than when multi-tasking, but the quality of each effort will be
considerably higher. I’ve adopted this approach from experiences at my karate
dojo (Shoreikan), in which we’re taught to leave the world behind upon entering
the dojo. This very act establishes the discipline needed to do one thing at a
time with extreme efficiency and quality. I believe it has helped me to become
a more focused student, artist and individual. Give it a try ;)
