To me, multitasking is merely a euphemism to “allowing interruptions”.
One technique I use is the Sprints and Buffer technique.
- Divide your tasks into smaller mini-tasks with scheduled buffer time between the tasks. This way you can make forward progress on a multiple of things — without churning from task to task.
- When an interruption enters the queue, simply schedule that interruption at the next available “buffer time”. This allows you to complete several different categories of tasks AND handle the unexpected interruption.
- If you are a valuable component of your company or business, then you will be interrupted…you will be in demand. That’s the definition of an MVP.
The trick isn’t to turn-off that flow of influence and appreciation; the skill is to merely manage your time better. Planning for the unexpected is the key. We don’t know what will show up — but we do know something will show up. Therefore, it makes sense to actually schedule for those inevitable interruptions.
