Multitasking
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How to be the best at multitasking

20 Feb 2017

Multitasking is a great way to get a lot of tasks done fast, but it can also lead to mistakes. So how do you multitask the right way?

We all start the week off with the best intentions; making to-do lists, setting out projects to complete and getting ready to hit the ground running.

Sure, no one likes Mondays but it’s probably the best day to get you motivated for the week in work.

One of the best ways to get your productivity going is to multitask. While there are plenty of arguments against juggling a few jobs at once, sometimes it’s necessary.

For some people, the easiest way to get through big projects is to chop them up and jump from one to the other.

First, separate your tasks. Not everything can be done in conjunction with others. Decide which tasks need the most brain activity, focus and tackle these head on.

Group together the tasks that are closely related when possible. One of the main struggles with multitasking is giving your brain time to readjust its thinking – the fewer adjustments it has to make, the better.

Make a to-do list before you get started. It can be really helpful to get your ideas down on paper. Be warned though, some to-do lists are more helpful than others, so make sure your one is properly organised and realistic.

Avoid extra distractions during your multitasking time. You have enough to focus on without adding checking your email into the mix.

Multitasking doesn’t suit everyone, nor does it suit every role, but it can be a great way to clear the decks when you have a lot of tasks to do together. It saves you time and can help you meet particularly tight deadlines – as long as you remember to do it correctly.

Check out the infographic below from Pounds to Pocket for more tips on how to multitask like a boss.

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Jenny Darmody
By Jenny Darmody

Jenny Darmody became the editor of Silicon Republic in 2023, having worked as the deputy editor since February 2020. When she’s not writing about the science and tech industry, she’s writing short stories and attempting novels. She continuously buys more books than she can read in a lifetime and pretty stationery is her kryptonite. She also believes seagulls to be the root of all evil and her baking is the stuff of legends.

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