My definition of Duotasking: Elegant pairs of tasks that can be done simultaneously with no negative effects. You can either set one task in motion to operate independently from the other, or one task might require very little thought or attention.
Everyone knows that multitasking is not the best idea, and in fact, it "makes us stupider," to quote the Wall Street Journal. I agree that trying to read your email while having a conversation is not going to work. But I think Duotasking is the sane answer to multitasking. Here are some examples:
- Driving while listening to audiobooks
- Cleaning while talking on the phone
- Baking dessert while you eat dinner
- Checking Twitter while you wait for a program to install
- Running the dishwasher while you are sleeping
I am a big fan of planning ahead, and when you do that, you can figure in even more Duotasks. Recently I realized that every week during a certain recurring morning phone meeting, I can prepare dinner for that night, since I work from home. So when I plan my menus, I am planning something for that day that is either a slow-cooker meal or something for which advanced preparation works well.
I just ran into a fantastic fact collected from Brian Tracy's book, The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success (Kindle version here):
Every minute spent in planning saves TEN.
I have also heard this number quoted as TWELVE. Now that's a good Return On Investment!
Could ten minutes of Sunday Planning each week really save you up to TWO HOURS in the week to come? I say YES.
What are your favorite Duotasks? Could you do more with a little preparation and forethought? Share in the comments!
PS: One's search for stock photography on the subject of multitasking brings up a lot of photo illustrations of "octopus people," people with lots of extra arms doctored into the photo doing other things. I want you to know that I spared you this eyesore here. You're welcome. This woman cooking is a great illustration of Duotasking, but she does need to get a headset so she won't need to visit her chiropractor. Watch my video here about being more productive with a headset.
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I’ll argue against baking dessert while prepping dinner! I’d eat the dessert & spoil my dinner! LOL
Multi-tasking: Here, there, everywhere! What am I doing? I have heard the idea of leaving a room and always taking something with you which belongs elsewhere. Great idea but I sometimes forget my original task. Many times have I gone upstairs to, um… “Hey look, I need to separate those clothes and get some wash started.”
Another idea helped: When you enter a room w/a task in mind, and you see things to remove, set them near the doorway. Finish what you intended to do and THEN exit with those misplaced items. No more human pinball.
Fantastic! I can confirm, from experience, that planning ahead saves exponentially more time in the long run. Plus, it’s a real self-esteem booster! Once I’ve completed my “weekly review” (usually on Sundays), I just feel better! Thanks, Lorie!
I put photos in albums or fold laundry while watching my favorite tv shows. Sometimes on Saturday or Sunday I make out the following weeks’ meal plan and shopping list while I eat lunch. While I’m waiting for my son during piano lessons, I check email on my phone or look things up on the internet for various information I might need.
Absolutely: there’s a big difference between watering the plants while something whirls in the microwave, versus trying to manage my retirement portfolio whilst on a conference call 🙂
Often time, Multitasking actually means we’re just switching between individual tasks really rapidly, and that just means paying a high time price as your brain scrambles to remember what it should be doing.
I’ve learned to be a good duotasker thanks to my 3&1 year-olds. I fold towels laundry while they bath. Wipe down the shower before a exit the tub. Do a loud of laundry while on the treadmill. Always call mom (speaker) while I’m baking or preparing a meal. Pack up my lunch for work next day while clearing the supper dishes and tidying the kitchen.
Spell check: I fold towels/laundry…and do a load of laundry. Thanks
Inspired by *you*, Lori, I now know I can work on my computer while dancing/walking in place! I have a shelf that’s just the right height for the computer, I get Pandora going, and I’m up an moving.
I also find it useful to let some actions trigger other actions. When I make coffee or tea during the day, I empty the sink. When I let my dog out, I put in a load of laundry, when I use the bathroom, I wipe down the sink, etc. I’m working on when I leave a room, take something with me. My husband says when he’s finished in his workshop, he puts away 10 things. Over the course of a few weeks, his workshop started to shape up. I need to try this in my chronically chaotic computer room….
Derby, YES! Amen! 🙂 We call those “Habit Hooks.” See our video on Habit Hooks here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02wK6hAMwsw
Lori, I don’t think this really fits here, but I had to tell you about it. I always seem to have a multitude of misplaced objects in my kitchen/home office. I have actually felt anxiety when looking piles of paper and odds and ends that needed to be sorted and put away. Recently, I started thinking about how you say everything should have a “home.” Now when I put something where it belongs, I quietly say, “home.” This little game has actually made a dreaded task fun.
Karen, that is terrific! I am so glad this has helped you! If we can get just one more moment of peace in our lives… that is a wonderful thing.
– Lorie
Julie, yay! Another “workwalker!” Glad that is working for you! – Lorie
How about this for a “habit hook” for indoor pet Owners – empty your pet(s) litterbox after you use the restroom yourself!
The results are: you only have to wash your hands once, the litterbox never gets out of control, and your pet is happy and well cared for.
It’s worked for me for years! It also helps me keep tabs on what’s going on with my kitty – it’s one of the first things the Vet asks when she goes in for her annual checkup.
Admittedly, it helps if the litterbox isn’t too far from the restroom and I practice this hook only once a day, usually in the evening time when I have more time.
Lorie- I love this twist on single and multi-tasking. Duo-tasking is an interesting perspective to take. I suppose there are some things that do go well together. Here are a few more:
– Reading while waiting for a doctor’s appointment
– Listening to music while organizing
– Painting nails while watching a movie
– Singing along to the radio while driving
– Talking with a friend while taking a long walk
Tasks that can be grouped together without diverting our focus work well in pairs. But as soon as one becomes difficult to do because we’re adding too much information or stimulus, time to go back to single-tasking.
Thanks again for this your insightful post. Really enjoyed your perspective.
Thank you, Linda! I agree there are some tasks that lend themselves to duo-tasking and others that really require your undivided attention.