“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”
Image source: Pixabay (CC0)
Month: April 2018
Multitasking is defined as the ability to perform more than one task, or activity, over a short period of time. In today’s world, multitasking is becoming the norm in most offices and households. We’re always short on time so we figure that doing several things at once will help us get more done at the end of the day.
WRONG!
Our productivity actually goes down by 40% when multitasking, therefore eliminating any benefit we might have gained. This is because when we multitask, we are actually “switch-tasking”, which means quickly shifting our attention between multiple activities, constantly interrupting ourselves and losing our train of thought.
So what are some of the benefits of not multitasking?
- Becoming more mindful of your surroundings and your experiences
- Making big progress on challenging projects
- Actually completing those projects in a shorter time
- Reducing your stress levels
And here are some tips to avoid multitasking:
- Switch off all interruptions
- Shorten your deadlines so you can better focus on your project
- Establish two kinds of office at hours to focus more:
- Individual work hours – when all distractions are banned.
- Open office hours – when people can have the opportunity to reach you and get your input on something.
Want to read more about the downfalls of multitasking? Here is a good book you might want to read!
“The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing it All” gets nothing done” – Dave Crenshaw
(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3346363-the-myth-of-multitasking)
Image source: Pixabay (CC0)
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
Marcus Aurelius
Image source: Pixabay (CC0)
What do tomatoes have to do with management? Everything according to Francesco Cirillo, the man who invented this time management technique in the late 1980s.
The method is named after the kitchen timer shaped like a tomato some of you might have already seen.
Image Source: Flickr – Marco Verch – (CC BY-NC 2.0)
This method consists in maximising your attention for short periods of time by taking frequent breaks to refresh your mind. By splitting a large task into many smaller tasks, you are able to keep up your motivation and enhance creativity.
The method is extremely easy to implement by following a few simple steps:
- Choose a task to be accomplished
- Set the timer to 25 minutes
- Work on the task, without any distractions, until the timer rings, then put a checkmark on a piece of paper
- Take a 5 minute break, then return to the task
- After four pomodoros (that is, four 25-5 minute splits) take a longer break (15-30 minutes), then get back to the task
The actions of recording pomodoros adds a sense of accomplishment to our work and helps us give our undivided attention to the task during the 25 minutes of work.
The times indicated are those suggested by the pomodoro technique, but we can adjust them to our needs, keeping in mind always to keep a short break and a long break every 4 short breaks.
Though the method was traditionally conceived using a mechanical timer, today there are many apps that can help us in using this technique.
I recommend the app “Clear Focus” – simple and effective!
If you want to read more about the pomodoro technique and its history, you can head over to the official website:
https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.
Image Source: Pixabay (CC0)
In this TED talk, psychologist Susan David introduces the concept of emotional agility: the ability to recognise and manage our thoughts and feelings for what they are, without judging them through the veil of preconceptions. Susan reminds us of the importance of detaching ourselves from our emotions so that they do not own us, but at the same time allowing ourselves to feel them. In fact, keeping emotions bottled up inside is one of the elements which can lead to depression in the longterm.
Being hooked to our emotions can cause distress and make us take irrational decisions. On the other hand, emotional agility can help people alleviate stress, reduce errors, tap into their creativity and improve their overall job performance.
If you wish to learn more about emotional agility I suggest reading the following article on the HBR or picking up a copy of Susan David’s book “Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, embrace change and thrive in work and life.”
HBR article: https://hbr.org/2013/11/emotional-agility
In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.
Image source: Pixabay (CC0)
Ratan Naval Tata (born 28 December 1937) is an Indian businessman, industrial and philanthropist of great success. He is much more than just the former chairman of the global business conglomerate Tata Sons, indeed his world famous personality and his success story have inspired millions of people.
Here is a look back at a selection of his most inspiring words that will help you set your goals and motivate yourself.
1. “Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. So when they grow up they will know the value of things, not the price.”
2. “Eat your food as your medicines. Otherwise you have to eat your medicines as your food.”
3. ” The One who loves you will never leave you because even if there are hundreds reasons to give up he/she will find one reason to hold on.”
4. ” There is a lot of difference between human being and being human. A Few understand it.”
5. “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together.”
6. ” You are loved when your are born. You will be loved when you die. In between you have to manage…!”
7. “Six best doctors in the world:
- Sunlight
- Rest
- Exercise
- Diet
- Self Confidence
- Friends
Maintain them in all stages of life and enjoy healthy life”
Image source: Wikimedia common (public domain)
The Diplo calendar 2018 realized by Stefano Baldi presents a selection of quotes for better living and better working.
Here is the selected quotation for the month of April
Before you begin, think where you’ll end
Photo: Max Pixel (CC0)
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