My #1 Productivity Secret Weapon
Batching:
Batching is simply a form of time management that allows a person to maximize concentration and decrease distraction. As a result, it increases your productivity, creativity, and mental sharpness, while decreasing fatigue, procrastination, and stress.
Batch processing is the grouping of similar tasks that require similar resources in order to streamline their completion.
Batching is setting aside an intentional amount of time for intentional tasks and making an intentional effort to not allow the distractions or interjections of others break that focus. After that block of time is up, take a planned break, then begin the next block of focused time. Each block of focused time is dedicated to one task or set of similar tasks.
Why batching?
Every time we become distracted, it takes an average of 15 minutes to regain complete focus. Unless you are intentionally managing your time, there is a very good chance that you operate in a constant state of unfocused response. If that’s the case, you are not being nearly as effective or productive as you could be. It’s not how hard you work, it’s how smart you work.
our productivity goes down by 40% when we attempt to focus on several things at once
How to do it:
I follow the Pomodoro Technique, which works like this:
Plan and prioritize the tasks that need to be completed, by writing them down.
Set a timer for for 25 minutes and devote that time to a task, or to a group of similar tasks. Larger tasks can be broken into multiple blocks or “pomodoro’s,” and smaller tasks (responding to email, returning phone calls, etc) can be grouped into a single block. After completing each Pomodoro, you put an “X” next to it and mark the number of times that you were distracted.
Take a 5 minute break.
Begin another block of time or “pomodoro.”
After completing 4 pomodoro’s, take an extended 20 minute break.