Top 10 Ways to Minimize Task Switching Costs

Recent studies have shown that the 'true cost' of distractions in switching tasks (throughout your workday) is the length of the distraction + 25 minutes. Hence, the extent to you allow yourself to be interrupted during the course of your day will determine how productive you are at the end of the day, week, month, and year.

In the spirit of helping...here are our: Top 10 Tactics to Minimize Task Switching Costs:

1. Work on one 'masterpiece' at a time (and 'Eat that Frog' first, while your energy levels are high)

2. Limit email checks to just 3x per day: 9am, 12pm, and 4pm. No more.

3. Avoid multitasking 'complex' tasks as it takes on average 25 minutes to 'get back into' the task (i.e., remember where you were and re-program your mind to address next steps)

4. Create 'themed' days to tackle work (e.g., 'Administrative Tasks Monday' or 'Focus Wednesday' or 'Planning Friday')

5. Use your 'busy' notifications and configure your PC/App settings in such a way that you don't get pinged and lose your focus

6. Schedule all your weekly meetings on two 'power' days during the week (e.g., Tuesday and Thursdays are my 'meeting' days)

7. Close all distracting apps during your focus time (e.g., chats, text, email, Facebook, MS Teams, etc.)

8. Allocate large 'chunks' of time for your 'complex' (i.e., creative) work

9. Stop getting in the way of you; people switch activities on average every 3 min and 5 sec. 50% of ALL interruptions are self-induced.

10. Implement and communicate 'time locks' to people.

If you implement the following tactics above you WILL have a more productive day, week, month, and year. Now...get to work.

Related Reading

• Do Your Meetings Pass the 'So What' Test?

• Strategic Listening: The Secret Sauce of Innovation

• Continuous Listening Framework to Boost Org Performance

Facing a complex change challenge in your organization? Book an OD consultation with Henosis Partners.