Staying in the moment is key to increased productivity. Read on to find out why staying in the moment can help you get more done versus multitasking.
Remember when multitasking was all the hype? In the 90s, productivity experts told us that juggling multiple tasks was the way to go. They said that the most successful people could do multiple things at the same time. They also claimed they could do them all well.
Books have been telling us that multitasking can help us make the most of our time. That it can improve virtually every aspect of our lives. We were promised we could do more in less time, leaving us with more time to do the things we actually want to do.
After years of raking in billions from self-improvement products, the truth about multitasking was finally revealed.
It was found to be a productivity killer. Studies have shown that the key to getting things done efficiently is to focus on one task at a time. Just take it one step at a time and before you know it, you’ll have accomplished a lot with minimal effort. It’s a simple yet effective way to make the most of your time.
Giving All Your Attention to the Current Moment Is All about Focus
There’s some age-old carpentry advice: “Measure twice, cut once”. This advice can be applied so much more widely. It’s basically a way to avoid costly errors. By checking your “workings out” you don’t have to shell out extra cash for lumber you accidentally cut too short or too long.
When you’re about to cut that piece of wood, all your attention should be on that moment. Don’t let your mind wander to your upcoming holiday or what you’ll have for dinner. That can cause you to make a mistake. Be present and focused on the task at hand – nothing else matters.
Then you measure it again. Your focus is so intense on getting this right that you understand the importance of double-checking your work. This is a simple example of living in the moment. The best workers in any field are present in their current actions. They understand that letting their minds wander could lead to an incorrect measurement. That at best, means having to buy more materials to replace their mistakes. Some mistakes can have even more severe consequences.
If you want to increase your productivity, the key is to focus on the present. After all, that’s the only part of life that you can actually control. Don’t worry about the past, and don’t stress about the future – focus on the moment and you’ll see your productivity increase. It’s time to take control and make the most of the here and now.