Lauren Irwin-Szostak is the President and CEO of Business Processes Redefined, LLC and has over 30 years in the collections industry.
In the fast-paced world of business, multitasking is a skill that many leaders strive to master, but it’s long been a subject of controversy throughout that expansive world.
Some argue that multitasking enables us to be more productive and accomplish more in less time. Others claim that multitasking leads to decreased focus and makes us forfeit our ability to generate high-quality work. I understand the immense pressure to be efficient, productive and innovative, but the age-old debate persists: Does multitasking hinder or enhance creativity?
The Multitasking Dilemma
Throughout my career, I’ve found that the way we approach multitasking plays a crucial role in unlocking our creative potential. I think the key to successful multitasking lies not in abandoning it altogether but in changing the way we multitask. Like many leaders, I initially fell into the trap of believing that juggling numerous tasks simultaneously was the solution to achieving my career goals. But I’ve since found that actual productivity and creativity lie in strategic multitasking, not in trying to tackle everything at once.
By changing my perspective and adopting new strategies, I have witnessed firsthand how multitasking, when done selectively, can fuel innovation and drive extraordinary results. Such selective multitasking has not only boosted my creativity, but empowered my team members to reach their full potential as well. So, to my fellow leaders and aspiring innovators: Allow me to discuss in greater detail how to multitask the right way, i.e., in a way that can revolutionize the very essence of how you approach your work and unlock your untapped creative potential.
Setting Clear Priorities
Multitasking is a deceptive art. You might assume that every entrepreneur or C-suite executive you know has discovered the secret to multitasking. In truth, many business leaders are surprised to learn that seemingly productive multitasking is incredibly easy to disguise. On the surface, many leaders may appear to be maximizing their productivity; when, in reality, they’re not. Such masked inefficiencies often result from a failure to appreciate that multitasking requires a deep understanding of how to navigate multiple tasks efficiently.
When leaders lack the ability to be proficient or to operate with clear task prioritization, multitasking can actually hinder their progress. Daily task lists are essential tools in this regard. Preparing and employing such lists has helped me approach daily tasks with a clear game plan for the most time-sensitive and essential tasks that demand my immediate attention. Task lists help leaders establish a strong organizational framework and maintain focus on their priorities.
When you inevitably need to make additions to your list as any given day progresses, it’s important to be realistic about the tasks you can address and not to pressure yourself to tackle all your original tasks if there’s insufficient time to do so. Don’t allow your daily tasks to interfere with your productivity or to impede your creativity.
Guarding Your Time
Time is a precious resource. Business leaders often find themselves pulled in multiple directions, with everyone vying for their attention all at once. However, surrendering to every demand can be detrimental to your productivity and creativity.
Learn to establish boundaries and protect your time. Learning to say no, delegate tasks and set realistic expectations are key to managing your time effectively. By doing so, you create the space needed to focus on the tasks that truly matter and cultivate your creative mindset. You also set the expectation among others that you cannot always be available on a whim, so you aren’t juggling everything all at once.
The Power Of Delegation
One of the hallmarks of effective multitasking is the ability to delegate. Delegation helps leaders distribute their workloads and sets an example for their teams to take ownership of their responsibilities. By entrusting others with tasks, you free up valuable time for yourself and enable yourself to devote your mental energies to more creative endeavors.
Delegation not only fosters a collaborative environment, but also encourages the exchange of ideas and diverse perspectives, which can spark new insights and drive innovation. Effective delegation requires clear communication, trust and ongoing follow-up to ensure that tasks are completed to the desired standard. When leaders fail to delegate, such failures often trigger a culture of distress, which could trickle down the line and infect the entire workforce.
Cultivating A Creative Mindset
Multitasking can be a catalyst for creativity. Incorporating mindful breaks into your multitasking routine will empower your brain to recharge and make unexpected connections. Stepping away from a task momentarily and engaging in a different activity enables your subconscious mind to continue processing information, which can lead to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
Embracing this ebb and flow of focused work and brief mental respites can refuel your creative potential. Additionally, incorporating activities that stimulate creativity—such as meditation, journaling or brainstorming sessions—can unlock new insights and expand your creative thinking. Such activities set the stage for breakthrough ideas and solutions.
To my fellow business leaders, I urge you to consider changing how you multitask to harness this valuable process’s potential and avoid its pitfalls. When properly focused, multitasking can ignite your creativity and propel you to extraordinary heights in the ever-evolving business landscape.
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