one at a time.
June 29, 2008
To do two things at once is to do neither.
-Publilius Syrus, 42 BC
Imagine if you will, a fire in your office building (with a humourous link back to Friar’s safety post!) – the alarm bells sound, and everyone runs simultaneously to one exit.
What happens? Everyone gets stuck in the door. People get trampled. Broken noses. Some people might not even make it out.
Not good.
So what should happen?
The alarm bells sound, and everyone walks calmly out, single file.
One at a time.
Call this a strange analogy if you will – but I’d say this is a lot like some people’s work schedules. You have a million things to do, perhaps a day job, and your family obligations, and then you want to break free, become independent, so you’re working on that too.
You try to do it all. Things get lost in the fire. What to do?
One at a time.
That’s why I let this post sit yesterday. I knew I couldn’t get it to where I wanted it, and also give my family the attention they needed (it was a rainy day), so I spent the day with my kids.
And then, to get it finished, up early today – before my family was up. No music, no email, no feed reader (no Twitter, but that has been less important to me these days anyway). But even before that, I had to work on my important personal projects.
To keep me on track, I keep a list – though the purpose of the list has changed. It used to be an all encompassing “task list”. Now I use it like this:
I start the day by making a list of intentions, what I will do, and what I really expect to do that day – perhaps 3 to 5 things – and make sure that some of them are for my personal projects. I keep a separate list of other things that come up during the day, to keep for later. I then set aside time to focus on these things – technology free time (or if at the computer, I make certain email and so forth will not bother me). It is important to set some ground rules for where I will and will not check my mail, surf, chat. So I have a spot for writing, for instance, where I only write.
I guess I’ve been developing this myself for some time, and then I stumbled across the same concept explained very well by Linda Stone. It really works well for me (being the “full-time job, four kids and husband who exercises a lot and really likes the internet” sort of guy). Perhaps it might also work for you.
Just remember. One at a time.
(I know this topic has been covered many times elsewhere, but I find it is easy to forget how to focus on the important. I could write at length on this, and in fact, I am doing so in one of my books. For a nice essay on this, check out The Autumn of the Multitaskers.)
–
And, lest Wendi think I forgot – 4,721 words this week. I also ran once (on Wednesday), 2.1 km in 20 minutes (a bit slower than normal – but just for fun, I didn’t even wear my funny shoes – that’s right – totally barefood on pavement!).
My friend continues to work on his liberation. A reader of this blog contacted him with some promise, and he has also been working in the background on traditional and independent employment.
I’m going to end up being one of those people who always quotes her father, but in this case it’s fitting. Dad’s full of little snippets of advice he thinks are inspiring.
“Do one thing at a time, and do it right.” was repeated SO often throughout my childhood. My family chuckles at the phrase these days, but it’s good advice. Not sure how I became the multi-tasker I am with that echoing in my head. Survival maybe.
Nicole’s last blog post..Just Writing
What a wonderful post to read on this gorgeous Sunday morning. I love your blog, Brett. You always slow me down, put things in perspective, offer helpful tips, and inspire me (one who has no kids at all nor a regularly full-time job but who seems as crazy busy as those who do have kids and a full-time job) to get organized and, best of all, become who I really desire to be.
Thank you. And tell your friend I’m bursting with excitement for him. I truly am! I look forward to all he has in store for us.
steph’s last blog post..To English Degree Students Everywhere (and to those who make fun of them)
@Nicole,
Your father – very wise man. How did we become multi-taskers? Yes, survival perhaps. Moving with the crowd, maybe.
Last year, I put up a sign on my door at work. The sign read:
“Multitasking is a moral weakness.”
I then went on vacation for two weeks. When I returned, the sign was gone from my door. I asked someone about it. Apparently it was defaced in a rather obscene and sexist (yes, sexist towards men) way, and someone else took the sign down rather than read it.
You see, my ideas were not well received by the group I worked with. I mean, if the management thinks it is “normal” to work 80 hour weeks, work through lunch, ignore your children, then for someone like me to put up a motto advocating stopping to smell the flowers… that borders on mutiny!!!
@steph,
Thank you very much, my friend! And, you are welcome. I, too, look forward to reading what you have to say. As I inspire you, so you inspire me. Together you, and my friend, will achieve greatness.
Perhaps my friend will take me with him
Thanks for the link, Brett (baiting me, eh?). I think most of us have our lives on “FIRE!” and are panicking at the sound of the bell in our heads. Sucks. Every now and then I rip it off the wall and go screw off for a day. It always helps to take it nice and easy.
James,
No problem bro – and thanks for stopping in. I figured I missed out on the whole analogy series you did with maybe one comment thrown in there (I’ve been looking for the fire exit myself…), and I thought it was a nice tie-in.
Yeah – I like what you said. Rip the bell off the wall, and go screw off for a day. We need to do that.
Hey,
Glad to see you are back… (1 sec, have answer and email)
What was I saying? Oh yeah, I always enjoy reading your (Wait 1, phone is ringing)
Ummm, right, your blog. Yes I read it when I get the chance. I’d like to comment more but (hang on, Danielle is calling)
So, keep up the god work. I have to run!
I am multi-tasking. Ca’n't you see how much more productive I am?
Francis
Francis,
Heh heh… now where was I? (Seriously, where was I? Oh yeah, took the wrong pill.)
It’s easier to multi-task if you have another glass of red wine…
Thanks for the reminder Brett! Sometimes it’s nice to be gently reminded that it is ok to do one thing at a time and you don’t have to balance 18 things at once!
There was also a good idea in here about making a list, I need to try that so I don’t feel so out of control some days! If I know what I have to do ahead of time, things would most likely be easier!
Thanks!
Jenny’s last blog post..Rain Rain Rain
Brett,
When things are not “mission-critical” (watch Brett and Friar cringe at the term!), I can multitask. Paint toenails, watch Monk, have a side conversation, jot down concepts for blog. No problem. When it’s time to get serious, forget it. One at a time. I need to be reminded of that now and again, or I will start my Monday trying to achieve six things at once, and do them all poorly. Your buddy Mr. Syrus got it just right.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Tip of the Week: Do More
@Jenny,
You’re welcome, and thank you! I really did like that article from Linda Stone very much myself – it works very well for me at work and at “play” (well, my own personal work). We just need to focus on what we really want to do by the day’s end. Anything else we can do is a bonus.
@Kelly,
Exactly. Multi-tasking with music, a glass of wine, and computer games to unwind is fun – and works well enough. Sometimes juggling is a great pastime! As you say, though, for serious stuff – focus. And from focus comes “flow”.
Which brings me to a side note – I noticed how LOUD my old game PC is a few days ago. I use it as a media server now, mostly (okay, and GTA…) – but when I’m trying to write, I have to turn it off. Laptops are so awesomely quiet…
Yes, Mr. Syrus. I had seen his quote a while back – and then when I looked for a good link to him, *wow* did he ever write a lot of good stuff. Folks way back when were pretty smart. Romans, Vikings, pagans, you name it.
Brett,
I didn’t think you forgot, you are really doing awesome. those numbers are starting to add up now. Very nicely. I am very proud of you. It really shows how the power of consistency -even over quantity- adds up over the long run. You could have sat one week and done a marathon of words and never touched it again, but instead each week, no matter what, you have had something and its adding up and its becoming a habit.
Yahoo!
Great post too! I am getting totally hung up on the one thing at a time motto.
And I am getting a lot more done too. First things first and one thing at a time is making a big difference.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Saving Summer
Wendi,
Oh, I know, I just didn’t want to leave you standing there tapping your foot
and thank you. Consistency is the thing that pays off, isn’t it.
I’m glad that you liked this post, and that you are working in this way effectively too. Now if we could get the folks where my friend works to work in this way…
Brett,
This is what I have been trying to do, too. One thing at a time, focus on it and complete it. It doesn’t always work but I feel less harried if I can do one thing at a time and not rush through everything thinking I have to get it all off of my list.
I’ll get there eventually.
I hear you about Twitter. It’s fun once in awhile but it does suck up a lot of your time.
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Archetypes and Symbols are for Everyone
hey Brett where is the Friar today? It isn’t like him not to be here on a Monday morning.
The thing about your friend. He is on a journey. The place he is right now is just a moment in that journey. Part of the lessons, but not the destination. This too shall pass and I have a feeling sooner rather than later.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..The Perils of Perfectionism
@Ellen,
That really is an ideal day for me. I put 4 or 5 things on a clean index card, and then stroke off each one as I complete it. Then I write it in my journal (if warranted), and tear up the card!
I was actually happy that Twitter started to mess up – it sort of broke the novelty for me
@Wendi,
We are off work today (Canada Day is tomorrow, and most folks are off work) – I believe he went to see family.
You are right about my friend. And the thing is – and I’m not sure it comes through when I write posts like this one
– my friend constantly has the BIGGEST grin on his face.
Because he knows that what you have said is true. He is on a journey. And he will get there. Sooner than later.
That reminds me of something an old friend of mine said to another old friend of mine. Friend #2 was a bit unhappy. Friend #1 said, “you weren’t doing this 3 years ago, what makes you think you’ll be doing this 3 years from now?”
Friend #1 went on to move to a new place that made him very happy, and he met his future wife along the way (at my wedding, actually).
Oh, so true! I can multitask some things – eating and reading, listening to music and working, etc. – but I can’t talk on the phone and do anything else. One thing at a time is the best way for me to get a lot done.
Super proud that you wrote/ran so much this week!
Sandie Law’s last blog post..Grillin’ Goodness
Sandie,
Thank you! And you know, I’m not sure I ever said congrats to you on the launch of Macaroni and Peas!
(Twitter doesn’t count.)
For everyone who hasn’t seen it, go check it out:
http://www.macaroniandpeas.com
Awesome!
Brett, my kilted wonder friend, as always you have gotten to the heart of the matter. I have pared my list down to 3-5 things max but still there are days. No matter how organized and productive we are it is still a muscle that requires constant conditioning. We get off track and need help, or we need a fresh perspective. You are a wonderful coach and mentor. I am so glad that you are carving out time for all of us. Tell your friend, I’ve already bought the streamers for the celebration party. Can and will!
Karen
Still no action/spoiler alert, but this time I forgive you.
I’ve been enslaved by my never-ending list. I appreciate the suggestions for change and will follow up on them — do 3-5 things and take time to rejoice in a job well done… check!
Somewhere, years ago, I picked up a quote that reminds me of your friend, Syrus’, quote above. I don’t remember where it came from, but googling for the info is not on either my long or my short list right now (if someone else wants to…:) ). “If everything is a priority, nothing is.” When the list takes control, it’s hard to remember that. Thanks for the reminder.
April, the reformed passivist’s last blog post..Ego Imprisons the Passivist
@Karen,
Thank you for saying that – I really mean it. My friend is looking forward to the party – can and will!
@April,
I need a custom icon or something…
I’ve been a slave to the list for sure – my old to-do list (which is now a holding place) must have 100 things on it. So now I just pick and choose from it, if there is anything there that is still truly important. It is getting shorter.
I like that quote. I think it should be printed out on a very large sign and posted in every workplace.
Hey Brett — I like your list of intentions idea. And the fire thing made me think of grade school, where we had fire drills and practiced standing in a line to exit single file. We always had to line up shortest to tallest though, which I never understood, but it made me glad to be one of the shortest so I’d get to live in the case of a real fire.
Kiss the blondies for me.
Amy’s last blog post..My Role Model, the Ostrich
Amy,
The blondies have been kissed and are sleeping soundly…
I have a feeling you’d have made it out anyway, you’re full of fire!!!
Brett – I’d have stayed behind to free the class gerbils. That was my plan in second grade anyway.
Amy’s last blog post..Keyword Analysis: Can’t Do Without These Gems
Amy, I was always the shortest, too, but I don’t remember getting to get out first. Of course, I don’t have a lot of clear memories of school (not a fan), but I do have an impression of thinking, “Hurry up! Hurry up! Hurry up! You’re playing around and I’m the one who’s going to have to stop, drop and roll!”
Maybe we did tallest to shortest….
April, the reformed passivist’s last blog post..Ego Imprisons the Passivist
April — I always thought it was odd, the height thing. Either way, it’s weird. I also thought it was weird that we had to practice earthquake drills, even though where I lived wasn’t near anyplace to get an earthquake. Kind of like practicing for a hurricane — ain’t gonna happen in the chicago suburbs. LOL
Amy’s last blog post..Keyword Analysis: Can’t Do Without These Gems
Amy, I was an army brat — lived a lot of different places, so had a lot of different practices: fire (everywhere), earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and terrorist (high school on military base in Germany – though there were those who said terrorist/bomb drills were just an excuse to take the dogs through to sniff the lockers).
April, the reformed passivist’s last blog post..Ego Imprisons the Passivist
April,
Whenever I hear “stop, drop and roll”, I remember the old “duck and cover” videos from the 50’s and 60’s (of course I’m too young to remember seeing them anywhere other than on YouTube… still funny though)
[...] writing my online story I hope to inspire others to follow in my footstep and turn their lives around for the better. Regardless of who you are or [...]
Brett
I admit that doing just one task at a time is the best way to get it done. However, many tasks can’t be completed without breaks. Breaks may be required for input from others or for some action to take place.
For example, in plastering a wall, one has to wait for it to dry before sanding. So one often puts this task aside and does something else for a bit. Yes, sometimes the “bit” can be extended and the overall plastering job can thus go on forever.
I think my best work was done when I did one-at-a-time work. But those assignments were long ago. I’m now between assignments, so perhaps my next one will allow this?
In a recent assignment, one task was expediting. I had about 30 Purchase orders that needed a “push” every now and then or the deadlines got missed.
During an at-home pastering job a while ago, I was also studying for a test. The breaks were ideal for the reading portions and while plastering I worked on the memorizing. I needed something to keep my mind “happy” while doing the mind numbing manual work.
PS
I just had a brief discussion with my old manager. Looks like I’m on my own to find an interesting assignment. The assignment he has for me is going to bore me very quickly.
Ed,
What you said is right on the money. It is okay to take breaks, sometimes you have to do that (like if the building is on fire!), or just to change it up. The main thing is to only *do* one thing at any one time. But there’s no harm in doing one thing for 30 minutes, then doing something else for 30 minutes, etc.
But trying to do both at once… not good.
Brett,
Having found a comment of yours on Monika’s blog, I just had to come over and take a look. This post is great! However, you need to remember those bumblers amongst us who have trouble doing ONE thing well at a time. I actually tried to do 2 similar things last week – they were both being done at the same place – and I got BOTH of them wrong! (And yes, I JUST blogged on it – pehaps 2 or 3 days ago!)
Thanks for the refresher course in multi-tasking. Now how about one on uni-tasking?
Rita’s last blog post..Bloggrrl’s Moment of Silence
Rita,
Glad you stopped in! And thanks. Yes, I’ve seen you over there too and hadn’t made the time to check out your blog yet – but I just did, and it’s really cool – I really like the post about sharing home with the sex club
pretty interesting.
I’ve had some post ideas in the works for some time about that – uni-tasking – so I just need to uni-task for a bit more and then get them out!
Brett,
Thanks for the response. I had to leave a comment a few days later on my OWN blog site, as it appears that “le Trapeze” is STILL there, and STILL owned by the same woman (now in her 70’s) and her son! If you need the SPECIFIC address of the club, I’ll be happy to provide it…
And could you imagine how a uni-task failure like myself would have fared THERE?
Thanks for the kind words!
Rita
Rita’s last blog post..Bloggrrl’s Moment of Silence
Rita,
No need for the SPECIFIC address, I think I’d get in trouble if I went for a visit!
I guess that’s true, you’d best be good at “multitasking” in a place like that…
I’ll drop by your blog again soon to check out more of it.
-Brett
Hello
Found you through Wendi’s Pebble page. Wonderful community you have here.
I am trying to finish two manuscripts right now, and it’s not going so great for both. I feel like I am on a race in two lanes. It’s not going to work, is it? I appreciate this post. A great reminder to take things one at a time.
Have a great weekend!
Pink Ink’s last blog post..High School Love
Pink Ink,
Hello! Thank you for stopping in to say hi today, and thank you – I agree, the community here is great and this place would be nothing without them. I mean to do something like Wendi’s Pebble page myself, to keep a running list of all the great people who have helped me out on this journey.
You know, you will get them done, in time – just keep at it. I also have two writing projects on the go, which helps when I’m stuck on one – I just work on the other!
I dropped by your blog (nice place!) and I noticed you also have a horror fiction blog – very cool! That’s something I’ve been dabbling in a bit myself, and I really enjoy it.