Rapid single-tasking is better than multi-tasking

Multi-tasking stinks.

We think it doesn’t because we watch our computers seemingly multi-task a great many things effectively…

…but computers don’t multi-task. They rapid single-task.

They’re digital, binary, either-or, one or the other. We’re not digital…we can attempt true multi-tasking in ways they can’t.

But we should take a leaf out of the book of machines:

Multi-tasking means constantly interrupting your focus between two or more activities, causing splintered attention and shallower thought.

Single-tasking means committing to resolving individual tasks with uncompromising focus, until they’re done (or the part we committed to is done) then treating the next task in the same manner.

Rapid single-tasking is the same as above, but with the benefit of allowing yourself to become really, really good at it. This way, the commit-execute-next rotations speed up, bringing your uncompromising focus and deep attention to a task, executing effectively, then moving onto the next… at speed.

To you, you’ll have a calm day and yet somehow get more done.

To others, you’ll seem like a multi-tasking workhorse.

Try giving a renewed commitment to single-tasking. Work on it until you can rapid single-task.

And watch what you can achieve.