5 Tips for Staying on Task While Avoiding Tunnelvision

Many people seem to feel there are only two types of workers: one-track-minded personalities and naturally gifted multi-taskers. Unfortunately, the truth is that most of us jump between the two extremes, pouring hours into a task and locking out all other urgent requests; and subsequently running around all afternoon playing catch-up. All the while, we’re falling behind on dozens of important projects that we just don’t have the time for. Here are five general guidelines to help you focus while juggling the myriad pressing tasks of the workday.

1.) Clearly communicate — Clients, bosses, and coworkers may send you a hundred emails or requests each day, but if you’re locked down with a pressing project, they can feel ignored. The majority of people can be decent and understanding when you’re just too slammed to fulfill their needs this very minute. Just a quick email or phone call back to let them know when you’ll be working on their project can work wonders.

2.) Take breaks — Recent studies have shown that pounding away at a keyboard for hours simply isn’t the best method to hack out a project quickly. Your brain may be able to push through the first hour or two of a work marathon, but it will fatigue and quickly become nearly useless. Take a several-minute break every hour or two.

3.) Make progress — When you get that tenth order emailed in, and it seems impenetrable, immediately do everything you can to make some headway. Even just setting up your work space, printing out that email, or setting an electronic reminder right away will ensure that important tasks don’t stay on the backburner for too long.

4.) Prioritize — Yeah, it’s easier said than done. But quickly being able to mentally categorize tasks according to both their level of urgency as well as their level of ultimate importance can help you cut through the chaff of time-wasting activities that will suck up all your effort for things that are important.

5.) Set goals — Nobody likes a deadline, but having manageable goals as to when portions of a project ought to be completed can help you manage an important task without feeling overwhelmed. Don’t be wishy-washy on this either: specific, attainable landmarks work best.