The 48-Hour Sprint
For years, people have been debating whether multi-tasking at work increases efficiency, or does the mind take too long to switch from one task to become fully engaged in the other, as to erase any time savings. I think it works, for menial tasks like washing your coffee mug while the kettle boils, or eating a pizza while reading, but for tasks requiring concentration orcreativity, I find it better to immerse oneself fully into it, instead of letting your focus become diluted.
But how can we merely focus on one task amid the multitude of committments, timelines and projects?
I propose the 48-hour sprint, inspired by an article I read where people had to come up with an idea for a game and develop it in that same time frame [add], and some harrowingly JIT deliveries of my own
It's akin to getting into a fist fight with 7 guys; you just pick one target, either the leader or the smallest chap, and keep bashing him and ignore the others raining blows on you. Once you can bring one down, the others will hesitate.
So, pick the most important task, or the easiest low hanging fruit, and hammer away at that, with undivided attention, for 48-hours, telling yourself you will do anything and everything to complete the chosen task by then.
Sleep and other committments, off- and on-work, can come after the 48-hours.
Of course, some will be raising the point of work-life balance.
As I read somewhere, trying to achieve work-life balance everyday is impossible. You need to look at it from a higher vantage point. Strive for monthly or quarterly balances.
Besides, how good a quality of life would you have when you have lost your job or your key client?