subject: How To Multitask Effectively When Working At Home [print this page] There are a lot of distractions when you work at home. This leads many work at home moms and dads to try to multitask. The only problem is that most people don't do it effectively. You feel as though you're making a lot of progress, but it doesn't necessarily work out that way when you look at what you've accomplished for the day.
The problem is that most times when people say they're multitasking, they're really switching quickly from one activity to another. You never get that solid focus on one thing that really gets things moving along. It gives the illusion that you're accomplishing more than you are.
Know When to Multitask
Not all activities are appropriate to multitasking. You cannot focus your mind on two mentally challenging things at once. You can, however, combine something simple with something more challenging for your mind.
You can brainstorm ideas while folding the laundry or cooking dinner, for example. Work out ideas for a new blog post, new ads, whatever you want to try out. Keep a notepad handy so you can write down the ideas you get. Just don't burn dinner or mix up the clothes piles. It's amazing how annoyed a daughter can be to get her brother's clothes mixed in with her own, and vice versa.
Do not multitask when you're interacting with other people. They do notice. Give them your full attention. This is particularly important when you have kids who need to know that they're important enough in your life to get your full attention.
That said, sometimes you can combine playing a simple game with your work, although it usually keeps you from having a solid focus on what you're doing. But when I need just a few more minutes to work, throwing a ball for my youngest to toss back to me keeps her quite entertained.
You can add time with your kids to your work time by talking to them about what you're doing. Let them in. Let them help when it's appropriate. Most kids love being involved in what their parents do. You may even inspire your kids to start their own business.
If you're tempted to multitask two complex projects because you really need to get both done by a certain time, remind yourself that you'll probably do better focusing on one at a time. You might get away with a bit if the projects are related or if one inspires an idea for the other, but on the whole you're probably better off keeping yourself on track for one project at a time.
