Multitasking is the ability to focus on multiple tasks at once. That does not mean however that you can do everything at once. It simply means that you can switch from one task to another with relative ease and be able to concentrate on that task. Effective multitasking can be hard. You need to learn how to balance tasks while dealing with distractions. Here are some steps you can follow for effective multitasking:

Plan Your Work And Prioritize

Planning your work is essential for effective multitasking. Without a proper plan, you can not decide how to work on the tasks you have set for yourself. Make a to-do list or a schedule. Start ticking off items on your to-do list. It is always good to start your work early so that you can manage the workload easily. Planning your work will give you an idea of the sequence you must follow to get your tasks done. Prioritize which task is more important and which task can wait.

Divide Your Time

Once you have planned your work, divide your time. For effective multitasking, it is important that you know how much time you can give to each task and which task requires more attention. The tasks which are of higher priority, set aside more time for them. You can also set aside some time for breaks in between to allow your brain to rest. Figure out the time required for you to complete all your tasks and then divide it accordingly.

Remove Distractions

For effective multitasking, remove distractions from your surroundings. You cannot concentrate on the tasks at hand if your brain is constantly being offered distractions. Observe what distracts you when you are trying to concentrate and remove it from your environment. Phones are often a source of distraction. If it is not needed for work, keep it away. If the distractions are in the form of family or colleagues or fellow classmates, let them know.

Do Related Tasks Together

Doing tasks that are similar or related to each other can help make multitasking easy. You can train your brain to switch from one task to another similar task. It will be easier for you to concentrate on the task then. Rather than trying to complete all of a project’s tasks at once, find the ones that are related and work on them together. It will not only help you multitask but also help you finish the tasks quickly, so you can move on to the next one.

You will not get better at multitasking immediately. Hence, you need to keep practicing to train your brain to handle multiple tasks at once. But remember to establish if you even need multitasking in the first place.