Welcome to the Single Tasking Islands

Working on multiple things at the same time stresses me out. I’d much rather focus deeply on one complex task over a longer stretch, finish it, and then move on to the next. But in reality, I don’t always have that luxury. Sometimes there are several things I have to handle at once. Deadlines sitting right next to each other, pressing issues flying in that can’t wait. That’s usually when I find myself in a call, listening with half an ear while trying to work on something else in parallel.

It’s also when I feel the most empty after work. My mind can’t come to rest, and my sleep quality drops. The funny thing is that the solution is actually quite simple: quit your job.

Just kidding. It’s timeboxing. Look up the free spots in your calendar, look at your to-do list, and block out time to focus on specific tasks.

This way, you’ve created single tasking islands in your calendar. That already sounds like a holiday, doesn’t it? Welcome to the single tasking islands. Enjoy focusing on one thing again.

Afraid of overthinking or spending too much time on something? Not on the single tasking islands. You’ve set a timeframe, so you have to concentrate on what actually matters. Remember that nagging worry about whether you’re doing the right thing right now? Also not on the single tasking islands. You’ve laid out your day around what’s important. You’ve moved that decision from many small moments (“okay, what next?”) to a single one at the start of the day (“what will I do today?”).

So, when do you book your ticket?