Is the clock running out on your social media use?
Introduction: Marketing Through Social Networking Without the Insanity
Social networking: you know you oughtta do it. But the time it takes is enough to strike fear into the hearts of even the most productive solos. How can you do all this networking/Twitter/Facebook stuff and still run your business?
We’re looking at this topic in depth in our “Ten Rules to Successfully Manage Your Time in Social Networking Activities” series. You can navigate through all the posts in this series through the links above and at the bottom of the post.
Today’s post is all about multitasking and why it totally sucks.
#5: Give Up Multitasking
It doesn’t work. Stop it.
Want more? OK.
Multitasking is Really Inefficient
Don’t just take my word for it. Listen to John Medina, molecular biologist:
Multitasking, when it comes to paying attention, is a myth. The brain naturally focuses on concepts sequentially, one at a time. At first that might sound confusing; at one level the brain does multitask. You can walk and talk at the same time. Your brain controls your heartbeat while you read a book. A pianist can play a piece with left hand and right hand simultaneously. Surely this is multitasking. But I am talking about the brain’s ability to pay attention… To put it bluntly, research shows that we can’t multitask. We are biologically incapable of processing attention-rich inputs simultaneously.
That’s from Medina’s book Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School(full disclosure: that’s an affiliate link).
And how often in an average day would you say you engage in “attention-rich inputs”? Exactly.
The Better Way: Mindfulness and Beginner’s Mind as a Business Strategy
Instead, approach each task mindfully. Be fully present in that moment, for that task.
How do you accomplish this herculean task? It’s simple but it’s not necessarily easy.
- First, know what your ideal outcome is for every single task — do you want to get the person you’re speaking with to agree to something? Do you need to create work product for a client that’s readable and persuasive? Whatever it is, set it first in your mind as your intention.
- Next, consider what you need to accomplish that intention. Gather those resources and have them where you need them. Open websites in different tabs; open up the documents; get the books open to the right page; have that phone number handy.
- Finally, state your intention out loud. This might seem one of those whoo-whoo New Age-y things, and — well, maybe it is. But it works. Try it. If you feel silly talking to yourself, then write it down on a sticky note and paste it where you can see it.
- And then get to work.
When you feel your attention wavering, remind yourself of your intention. Just gently bring your focus back to the task. Don’t yell at yourself mentally or start grumbling about all the other things you have to do. Plenty of time for that later. Get back on task.
Beginner’s mind is a related concept. It’s about coming to a complex undertaking without expectations. It seems like that might be in conflict with the whole “setting an intention” thing, but not really. When we’re talking about intention, we’re speaking of the outcome. When we talk about expectations, we’re talking about fears, mostly, of both the process and the consequences of the outcome — in short, emotional attachments to the outcome.
Beginner’s mind is all about making like a bone-dry sponge and soaking it all in, without pressuring yourself to perform in a particular way. Absorb it all, let go of any emotional attachment to your intention, and bring your focus fully onto what you’re doing.
If you’re interested in learning more about mindfulness and the practice of law, you’re in luck. Stephanie West Allen at Idealawg has posted several excellent resources on mindfulness for lawyers.
For all of us, including you accountants, real estate brokers, intelligence workers, coaches, consultants, and inspired solo geniuses of all shapes and flavors, psychotherapist and Zen master Mary Jaksch shared eleven awesome tips on cultivating beginner’s mind at Zen Habits.
So knock off the “eight things at once” crap and turn your entire focus to the task at hand. Forget about the other stuff on the list, or whatever’s next. Become fully absorbed in the task at hand. That’s being mindful, and it will not only increase your productivity — it will change your life for the better. I promise.
