Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 1st February 2011 | 14 comments
Over the break, I brainstormed all the creative projects I wanted to get done in 2011. There were quite a few.
Because idea generation is a core strength for me, I created some tantalising project visions, and I got quite excited about starting them all. I've written before about the online Robert Fritz program I used to create goals and action steps for my projects. It was fun and satisfying to use his system to develop my ideas.
So far, so good. I had a list of 'next steps' in at least 5 projects, and started doing all the stuff I needed to get done in each.
Brick wall.
I got myself into a total muddle, both in my head and in the world. Paper everywhere, my brain in meltdown, feeling hopeless and useless. I didn't know what to do next. I couldn't think clearly.
You see, I had come up against the truth of the recent research confirming that we are hard-wired for single-tasking, not multi-tasking. Even people like me, who thrive on variety and get enthused by a multitude of ideas can only put them into place one at a time. I recently read that we should 'have multiple projects, but single tasks'. It makes sense.
Of course, we do many things in a day. And most of us are adept at multi-tasking the practical stuff of life (or we would never get through our days...)
But the part of the brain used to repeat and redo known tasks (long term memory) is quite different from the part used for starting up new projects (working memory).
I know this because late last year, I interviewed a most interesting guy at the School of Education at the University of New South Wales - Emeritus Professor John Sweller. He is an expert in what they call cognitive load theory. His research shows that new information must always first be processed in our working memory, then it goes into our long-term memory, freeing up the working memory again for the next chunk of information.
So, I realised that I need to take one of my projects, immerse myself in it and get it to a certain stage (clear idea, momentum established, initial issues sorted, resources in place) before tackling project number two.
I have been amazed at the difference that has made to my work (and to the jumble inside my head...).
What about you - where do you sit on the single-tasking v multi-tasking spectrum?
Tag: creativity
Oh Joanna, I understand this so well. Being of a creative bent I rather like having a number of things on the go at once. I find I often hold myself back from getting too immersed in one of them because I know when I do time will pass and I won't get the myriad of other "stuff'' on my list, done.
Mariette, thanks for your comment. It is a challenge isn't it, between needing the creative variety and also the practical focus...
I couldn't agree more. I've been saying for some time now that multi-tasking is a complete myth. I am definitely a single-task person. I either do one thing well or many things badly. Like you I love lots of variety in my work and home life but need to do things one by one.
Oh Joanna, I understand this so well. Being of a creative bent I too love to have lots of things on the go at once.
A number of years ago I did a course in applied performance psychology and was told then that trying to multitask is ineffective. Basically we shift our focus from one task to the next and then waste time when we come back to the original task and have to refocus,.
Still love the fun of the 'multitask juggle'.
Mariette
Thanks Nicola, indeed. I think multi-tasking is efficient for routine, basic, familiar practical tasks (up to a point) but for anything else, forget it. There is now clear evidence that out cognitive ability drops by a measurable amount whenever we try and do more than one thing at a time! (But as Mariette says, I too love the fun of the multitask juggle sometimes...)
Aaaaah.....so that's why I haven't had that book published...that's why I haven't got that Academy Award....that's why I'm not in BRW's list of 50 richest women!
Now it's all clear!
While I spent my twenties and thirties changing nappies while answering the phone, renovating, cooking dinner, checking homework, organising social and work lives and CLEANING!! - i could have been focussing on one thing at a time - writing the Great Australian Novel at the kitchen sink or painting the Archibald winner!
Aaaah....if only I had my life to live over!
Marianne, love it. And I remember that quote by Barbara Sher: It's only too late if you don't start now :)
Totally agreed on the efficieny and productivity of single tasking. I have recently struggled with a multitude of ideas and how to prioritise them...and came to the conclusion the only way I am going make them work in my business is to sit down and concentrate on them and executing them before moving on to the next. Maybe my brain just works better that way!
Thanks Sarah - I suspect most of our brains work better that way!
So perhaps the question I can ask myself for each project idea is something like "what will I need to have DONE that will tell me this project is beyond the idea stage and on its way to becoming something observable and tangible? Then do that before tackling another "good idea"? Something to do with every idea has a critical mass of effort and activity needed to birth it from "what a good idea" status to "project on the go" status? Hmmm ... good food for thought. Thanks.
Hi Svea, good to hear from you. And that's a very good question. In fact, it's given me an idea for a further blog post, so watch this space :)
I completely agree - but would love to hear your ideas on how we can claim that space to stick to that project . Multitasking is normally not by choice - I have to meet that deadline on that project now, if I am to get it to phase b next week, and I need to send that email now if that project is ever going to start, or I better do a little bit on that project so Y will not escalate their concern...... Ok well that is my excuse but my days are filled with me constantly multitasking (i work somewhere it is acceptable to text, email etc in meetings) and thereby doing everything averagely.
Being a creative, I to immersed in various, goals, action plan, marketing strategies hope to put into place in 2011.
Had to step back as was also getting overload.
It's matter of taking a breath and one step at a time. Thanks again for Newsletter
Good point Megan, I think for me it is about finding a rhythm, and putting little blocks of time aside to work solely on one project. even 20 minutes is good. I find it useful to take a breath between work tasks and shift gears. For the practical things, the easy stuff, I think multitasking is fine...