The Benefits Of Monotasking For Entrepreneurs

by Oct 17, 2024

Entrepreneurs benefit from monotasking. Multitasking has its place, but the benefits of monotasking and creating a workspace free from interruption makes us more efficient when focused on tasks requiring thought, research, writing, and similar tasks. Taking one thing at a time and giving it your undivided attention ups your productivity. Entrepreneurs maximize their time and effectiveness when planning a significant period of time monotasking, while blending multitasking in where appropriate, based on the tasks. 

 

The Benefits Of Monotasking For Entrepreneurs
The Benefits Of Monotasking For Entrepreneurs

 

  

Monotasking went from part of our normal office procedure to the best kept industry secret to error-free efficiency and a healthy workplace.

In our faster paced world it seemed that being on and accessible all the time required a different way of approaching our work – multitasking. Multitasking quickly became the norm.

 

However, a period of time has elapsed, and research shows it’s not typically a productive approach to our day.

Per the What To Become blog: 

  • Only 2.5% of people can multitask effectively.
  • Multitaskers lose 5%-15% of their cognitive efficiency while switching between tasks.
  • Multitasking in the workspace leads to stress and fear.
  • Up to 40% of productivity is lost through multitasking

 

The practice of dedicating oneself, and minimizing potential interruptions until the task is completed has returned. 

Where multitasking does have its place and is a best approach to certain types of work, it leads to inefficiency and errors when managing tasks requiring deeper thinking and focus. For example, tasks requiring concentration such as writing, researching, and complex problem solving benefit from monotasking.

While you may feel a need to remain accessible, you will experience times where you feel like nothing is getting done. You don’t want important priorities to take the backseat because you received too much junk mail or got caught up on social media distractions, but it happens.

Focused work and attentive work sessions eliminates this issue. 

Monotasking allows you to focus all of your attention on one task. If you are easily distracted or have trouble staying focused, multitasking may not be the best option for you.

 

When you focus on one task at a time, you are less likely to make mistakes, and you can complete each task more quickly. This approach helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list.

 

It all comes back to planning and time blocking using a method that works for you. 

  • Have a business plan
  • Take 30 minutes on a Monday to plan your week
  • Take 15 minutes each other morning to review priorities and set up your day.

If you need the tools, we have them on our website – free. There’s no brain surgery here. It’s all incredibly simple. It’s just a matter of doing it.

 

Your daily to-do list can be as fancy as you want it to be or listed on scrap paper.

 

What is monotasking?

Monotasking is simply focusing your attention on one task at a time.

 

 

 

woman monotasking

 

  

 

Monotasking vs Multitasking 

You may think you can do everything at once, but you can’t — and shouldn’t.

Your best method comes down to the type of work you are performing and your own skillset.

If you cannot eliminate distractions and have a difficult time focusing, monotasking may be for you. If you are dealing with complex issues, monotasking is the way to go. 

However, if you have quick and simple tasks such as providing quick responses based on a handy resource, then multitasking may actually be more efficient and increase your responsiveness. In that case, if the job requires a multitasking approach you can apply effective training or approaches to help you focus on completion as required by that job.

 

 

 

engineer monotasking

 

 

 

Benefits of monotasking

 

  • Increases productivity


  • Increases efficiency


  • Improves your overall output and delivery


 

In other words:

 

  • Reclaims your attention


  • Improves your concentration


  • Helps you avoid distractions


  • Reduces errors


  • Improves the quality of your work


  • Ensures dedicated prioritization


  • Helps you get more done in less time


 

  • Increases creativity


  • Increases energy


  • Improves your memory recall


 

  • Creates efficient problem solving


  • Enhances your analytical skills


  • Conserves energy


  • Reduces stress


  • You feel less overwhelmed


  • Protects your wellbeing


  • You are healthier


 

  

 

woman monotasking

 

 

 

Overall – you want to work better. 

Mindfulness plays a role. Your wellness plays a role. 

In this fast-paced daily world of business we need self-awareness and a way to work that meets business needs as well as personal needs. Dedicating oneself to a given task and minimizing potential interruptions and minimizing room for error is not too much to ask for! But what if your position requires a series of quick hits that are ongoing throughout your day – no project work – no deep dives? 

Multitasking may be the answer. 

Multitasking allows you to touch more areas of your business in a short period of time. If no deep work requiring your focus and attention is required, your job may benefit from multi-tasking. It definitely has a place. 

Typically though, even in a position with tasks where multitasking can work, you will want to time block certain tasks. Juggling leads to forgetfulness and a panicked, rushed approach to your day where much is touched, but little is completed well. This is where timed work and planning in your breaks comes in. 

It’s a mindful approach. 

Creating timed work and rest intervals 

 

Better to take 15 minutes to plan your day, prioritize. and time block. 

If unable to do this and email and various notifications require continual attention, techniques like the Pomodoro Technique come in handy. It’s about time-blocking as well, but you use a timer to focus on one task, take a 5 minute stretch or brain break and then go to the next task. 

You can literally schedule those emails and responses to notifications or  whatever requires attention throughout the day without it becoming an overwhelming distraction. It still simply has its place.

There are ways to time block and blend monotasking and multitasking. There are also ways to time block within a multitasking requirement.  

 

 

Introducing the Pomodoro Technique. 

The Pomodoro Technique was developed in the 1980’s by Francesco Cirillo. It’s a time blocking process that breaks down work or whatever you need to do into chunks of time, with a brief break in between each. You take your breaks. You have your meal. You walk away. You accomplish a great deal. 

The Pomodoro technique in practice:

  1.   Set your timer for 25 minutes.
  2.   Work on your task.
  3.   After 25 minutes, take a 3-5 minute break.
  4.   After 4 Pomodoro’s, take a longer 25-30 minute break.

 

However you approach your day, eliminate distractions, set boundaries with family, friends, and coworkers. Eliminate all digital clutter.

Silence your phone. No personal social media. No work-related social unless that’s your job. 

Prioritize your notifications IF you even need them. If you are responding to calls or text messages from 10-10:30 and 1:30 -2:00pm, tell whoever you must the expectation, and put the phone away. Same with email. 

No one needs continual access to you. 

 

A few clicks on social media, checking texts and voicemails, answering a few more emails allows time to slip away, and the list of tasks becomes unmanageable.

Being told we aren’t fast enough or weren’t responsive, has us panicked and running ALL the time. As a result, we don’t get our priorities accomplished or accomplished well. Work smarter. It comes back to this:  monotask. 

 

Monotasking eliminates all of this. It allows you to be fully present, in the moment, manages details, and manages stress. You create a healthier environment where everything isn’t a priority – yet all of your priorities have their time in the spotlight. Unfreeze. Get back to you. Reclaim your excellence.  

You got this.

 

 

 

 

BLOG CATEGORY: Entrepreneurship

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