- Do only one active thing at a time OR no more than two passive things.
- an active thing is something that takes concentration and focus. Examples: working (regular job), reading, talking to someone, TV (yes TV), thinking hard about something.
- a passive thing is something that doesn't take much concentration and focus, or which is passive in nature, or which is automatic and routine. Examples: washing the dishes, working out or running (if form good), listening to interesting music, listening to a podcast, driving, cleaning.
- When possible, do only one thing at a time regardless of active or passive status.
- When your one thing involves a short wait then just wait.
This image is free to use, the original image is a free to use Canva image so all good.
Reasons
This is something I talked to a friend about recently after doodling mind map to do with time. I tend to get over excited about trying to get a lot of things done and there's always a temptation to multitask myself into a world of stress.
I find that I do things well when I do them without much else going on, and then put them out of my mind afterwards. So that means not trying to organize my life while at work, and then thinking about work after work, stressing about it. Just work while I'm doing it, then put it out of mind after.
Some things it's definitely okay to combine. It's nice to listen to something while washing this dishes, or while driving. However sometimes it's nice to just wash the dishes or just drive.
A lot of this is about dealing with the attention sucking nature of the modern online world. I read somewhere recently that even when there's a brief pause in a task or event, people go straight for the phone. You know you do this! When your friend goes to the bathroom when you're talking over coffee, or when that task at work has a short lull. The third point is just be in that space, give it to yourself - I would even say gift it to yourself.
All of this is to help you resist burn out and enjoy the things you are doing while you're doing them, even if they're not that enjoyable! I have definitely found since I've implemented this list that even though work kinda sucks sometimes, it's better to do it and do it well while I'm there instead of trying to do too much, then mixing my brain up for the rest of the day.
Oh and not really related to the list exactly but something I do - if something comes to mind while you're doing an active task, just write it down for later, don't get distracted in the moment (unless it's really urgent).