From the moment I woke up, I was switching tasks. While brushing my teeth, I’d check emails on my phone. During online meetings, I’d work on other projects. I’d sit at my computer with multiple screens ablaze, email alerts pinging, phone buzzing, convinced that I was a productivity machine.
But in chasing efficiency, I was sacrificing effectiveness. My attention was fragmented, and my work was subpar. I was a jack of all trades, master of none. My work was scattered, and my thinking was superficial. I was always busy but rarely productive in a meaningful way.
It took a radical shift to single-tasking to discover the true meaning of productivity.
Get more done with the One-and-Done task system
Struggling to focus on one task at a time? The One-and-Done task system is a supersimple yet powerful way to boost your productivity and reduce stress. Here’s how it works:
Why it works
The One-and-Done system is effective because it forces you to focus on one thing at a time. Even though we often pride ourselves on being good multitaskers, the reality is that our brains can only truly focus on one task at a time. When we try to juggle multiple tasks, we end up anxiously switching between them, which is both stressful and unproductive.
By writing down a single task on a post-it note, you give yourself permission to put everything else out of your mind for the time being. You can immerse yourself fully in that one task without the distraction and stress of worrying about what else you need to do.
Crumpling up the post-it note when you’re done provides a visceral sense of accomplishment. It’s a small way to celebrate your progress and motivate yourself to keep going.
Put it into practice
To start using the One-and-Done system, you only need a stack of Post-it notes and a pen. Keep them within easy reach of wherever you typically work. Whenever you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or struggling to focus, pause and write down one specific task on a Post-it note. Then, complete the specified task, crumple the note, and move on to the next one.
You may be surprised by how much more you can accomplish and how much calmer and more in control you feel by focusing on one thing at a time. Give the One-and-Done task system a try, and see the difference it makes in your productivity and peace of mind.
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