Multitasking Ideas

From homemakers to executives, most people have to deal with more than one project at a time. This can be overwhelming if you don't know how to multitask; things pile up, and suddenly three deadlines are approaching at once. To reduce stress and preserve your mental health, it's useful to explore some ideas for effective multitasking.

Physical Record

• One good way to multitask is to keep a physical record of what you have to do and when you plan to do it. You could buy a day planner, use an electronic planner or just write lists on paper. Having a clear physical record of the tasks at hand makes it easier to remember them and get them done.

Schedule Structure

• Multitasking enables you to get long-term projects done. It's not, however, working on multiple tasks at one time. You may have several things to do over the next few weeks, but work on one at a time. If you divide your focus too much, you won't get anything done. Multitask in the long term, but focus in the short term.

Interruptions

• Interruptions come as phone calls, people asking you questions, emails and anything else that is not directly connected to the task at hand. When you are working on a task, close your email, turn off your phone and do everything else you can to eliminate distractions. This will enable you to get tasks done without taking on new ones.

Delegation

• You are not an expert on everything. If you are a team leader in a group of clerical workers, your skills are in planning, management and coordinating with your superiors. Your underlings, on the other hand, are better equipped for data entry, filing and other administrative tasks. As a team leader, you can multitask more effectively by assigning the tasks for which you are overqualified to your subordinates.