This episode is sponsored by Wondrium
stick around till the end of the video to learn more about it.
Hello Brains!
Let's try an experiment.
Open a note pad or type in the comments below and pause this video until you're ready.
Write the first letter of your name.
Now write the first letter of a pet's name.
Now the second letter of your name.
Now the second letter of the pet's name.
Continue until you're done.
Cool
That's Multitasking
Now write just you're name and then the pet's name.
That's Monotasking
To Monotask, verb, is to intentionally focus on doing one thing at a time.
It comes from Mono meaning one and task meaning task.
It's the opposite of Multitasking which is focusing on multiple tasks at the same time.
Multitasking was really popular in the 1990's and employers wanted people who were good at Multitasking
because it seemed more efficient to be able to do multiple things at once.
Because theoretically you can get more done in the same amount of time.
The problem is, as researchers found out
brains actually can't focus on multiple things at once.
Which is fine if the tasks we're doing don't both require focus
like, listening to music while cleaning your kitchen
but if the tasks we're doing do require focus like responding to emails while we work
what's actually happening is that we're switching focus back and forth quickly between them.
And we burn a little time and mental energy every time we do.
We also make more mistakes.
While we might feel more productive while we're multitasking,
because we're doing so many things and moving so quickly. We actually aren't.
And researchers at Stanford found that a person's brain
doesn't completely refocus on a task or multiple tasks when task switching.
This leads to reduced work performance, more errors, and poorer decision-making.
They also found, the more people are interrupted, especially when novelty was involved,
the shorter their attention spans become.
Not great for those of us who already struggle to pay attention.
So if we're trying to do multiple tasks that require focus
we're actually more efficient and more effective if we Monotask.
So how do those of us who are used to trying to do everything at the same time Monotask?
Here are a few ways people do it:
One: use a list and work on one thing at a time.
If you think of something else, instead of going to do it
write it down and then go back to what you were working on.
Two: Block out time in our schedule for each task
and during that time, do only that task.
This is called Time Blocking
It's also what we do when we set Pomodoros which I talk about in this video.
We're carving out a specific amount of time and then protecting that time
so that we can work on that task without feeling like we're supposed to be doing something else.
Three: Batch Tasks Together
So instead of checking our email throughout the day, we would check it twice a day or three times a day.
Four: Organize days or weeks by themes.
I do all my laundry on Sundays for example because if I try to do it as needed throughout the week
I will absolutely forget that I'm doing laundry.
And five: "Dual Class" our Monotasking
When doing one thing at a time feels too restrictive
Hi, we have ADHD.
We can pick two.
Like doing math homework and reading.
If we get bored of one, we can switch to the other if we get bored of that, switch back.
It's kinda like Dual Classing in D&D
It might take longer but it's great for those of us that need more variety.
We need more research on this, but I also find that fidget toys help me not pick up my phone.
Because I'm already holding a thing.
If you'd like to learn more about Monotasking, I've linked to some great resources in the description below
And now, a word from our sponsor
One of the things I'm planning on Monotasking next year is writing a book
and Wondrium is helping me learn how to do it.
I've talked a lot about Wondrium on this channel before.
It's the rebrand of the Great Courses Plus and it's designed for curious brains.
Whenever I want to learn something I check there first because they have a ton of courses
and anything I want to watch is included in my subscription.
How To's, Tutorials, Documentaries.
Wondrium is where you can find the answer to pretty much everything you've ever wondered about
and they're constantly adding new stuff.
I went looking for a course on writing and I found one specific to creative non-fiction.
Which is what my book is going to be part memoire, part How to.
It's kinda perfect, I'm half way through the second lesson and I've already learned stuff
that's going to save me a ton of time and make my writing better.
I've gotten to practice with exercises that have already highlighted challenges I might run into while writing my book.
One of the things I learned that kinda blew my mind was this
in creative nonfiction, you have to get creative so you can tell an interesting story
but you're not allowed to make anything up which is really hard actually.
The professor talks about other ways to get creative with the storytelling instead
and I've gotten so many ideas I've already started writing my book.
Wondrium is such a convenient way to take a course
because they're taught by experienced professors, but since it's streaming
you can watch it on faster speeds, with subtitles, do the exercises that are relevant to what you're trying to learn
pause it when you get ideas, and rewind it when you get distracted.
Which is how I learn best.
Wondrium is offering a free trial right now and they're regular supporters of this show.
So by supporting them, you're also supporting us.
If you'd like to try it out go to Wonrium.com/HowtoADHD
or click on the link in the description below to start your free trial today.
Thank you to my Brain Advocates and all my Patreon Brains for making content like this possible.
So that together we can learn how to work with our brains,
not against them.
Bye Brains!