The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I am intrigued with the fact that the word "mental" is in the word. For me, it illustrates the need to separate mentally what we are doing. One of the tricks I am learning is to separate tasks and do one at a time. As a recovering multitasker that isn't easy, but I am beginning to see the benefits of doing one thing at a time.
I remember being told that it is impossible to do two cognitive things at one time. A cognitive activity is defined as a conscious intellectual activity. Although for years I have prided myself on being able to do two or more things at once, I am beginning to understand that when multitasking my attention is divided, so I am not doing the quality work I would like. I also discovered that it often takes longer to do more than one thing at a time because of the fact that my attention is divided. The secret to getting things done and getting them done well is to compartmentalize and focus on one thing at a time.
I now divide my day into tasks. I map out what I will be doing from hour to hour. Instead of starting the day with a list of things to do and thinking that I will just work on all of it as I go along, I break my day down into tasks. I will spend an hour on project A, fifteen minutes making telephone calls, and another block of time on e-mail. By compartmentalizing my day, I actually can get more done faster with fewer mistakes and less frustration. It all boils down to focus.
I remember starting a project in the morning only to have that same project on my desk at the end of the day. I allowed myself to be distracted by all of the other tasks that needed attention. Now I realize that, if I focus on one thing at a time, I can get the task at hand done, and be ready for the next one. I am not saying this is easy, because life doesn't always fit into nice, neat compartments. However, by creating this structure, it even makes it easier to deal with those unexpected events life throws my way.
The trick with compartmentalizing is to discover what works best for you. Scheduling my time in one-hour increments works best for me. If the project I am working on doesn't take an hour, I have then created free time to do something else or begin the next project. I have also learned to be flexible and allow for unexpected events. I even build in extra time just for that possibility. It may seem very structured, but there is a lot of freedom in the structure. Instead of trying to do everything at once, I focus on getting one thing done at a time, and I actually accomplish more by the end of the day ? and avoid feeling scattered or as stressed as I once did.
Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching ? Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com.
Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com
True Direction, Inc. Copyright
>>>This article along with byline attached may be freely republished
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits... Read More
It may be difficult to relate saving money with organization... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More
Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More
Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such... Read More
To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More
Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
Finish each day and be done with it. You have... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
1. In terms of organization, what is the first thing... Read More
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More
You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits... Read More
Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
Digging out from under stacks of paper might seem like... Read More
'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
For some reason, Americans think they have something to prove... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
When I tell people what a FREEING experience moving is,... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More
To make room for new things to come into you... Read More
Every day I find junk mail waiting for me, whether... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |