Nowadays, it is very rare to see people working on only one project. Most of the time, people are tasked to do multiple projects in one go because of the demand for certain skill sets that only you can do.
Besides in the corporate world, working on multiple projects are something I am familiar with as a freelancer. You can’t be doing only one project for one client. Unless that client pays you a lot to justify full concentration on his assignments. I usually juggle not more than 3 at a time because I want to distribute my attention fairly to each project I take on.
While multitasking can be good to speed up productivity and reduce costs, it is actually very bad for one’s mental health especially if it happens regularly. It can disrupt one’s attention and the quality of the work, as well as increase one’s stress levels.
So, what can you do if you are tasked with multiple projects? How can you stay focused? Here below are some tips to help you out.
Schedule your work accordingly
When you get all your assignments or projects, look at them all and see which ones you can do first.
If you don’t do this, you may end up spending the rest of the day alternating between tasks or spending all your time in one task that isn’t due till a certain time.
Check all the priorities of the work you have and do the ones which are urgent and can be done fast.
Prevent distractions
If you want to focus, you need to make sure you can work free from any distractions. Set your phones on silent and disable any notifications from your desktop.
You should also keep your workspace quiet to help you focus even better. Let your team know when you will be working so that they will not disturb you as you work.
As a freelancer, I choose to do my work only when my child is napping in the afternoons or asleep at night. This way, I do not have unnecessary distractions.
Review your progress regularly
Sometimes, we can get too caught up with our work to the point we forgot we have other tasks to do.
Make it a point to check your progress regularly with the help of a time tracker or a simple note. You will be able to note where you are in your project and be able to time yourself for similar tasks in the future.
Flexibility is the key
Flexibility also helps you out when it comes to staying focused. Some tasks won’t allow you to ask for extensions so you will need to be flexible when it comes to working on the tasks that require faster turnarounds.
Know which tasks these are and plan your schedule accordingly. If you are able to stay flexible, you will be able to manage the rest of your projects with ease and not have to stress out on them or panic when it comes to submission day.
Be realistic
Don’t be afraid to say you can’t do a project when you think you are doing enough. Being able to admit this to your boss shows that you know your limits and your commitment in providing only quality work for your company.
If you are unable to manage your projects or there are obstacles that prevent you to complete your tasks on time, let your superior know immediately and explain why there will be a delay. You should also keep them up-to-date with your work so that they know what to expect.
Conclusion
Staying focused when you have loads of projects to work on can be stressful. But, it isn’t impossible to accomplish them efficiently. With these tips, you can refocus your center and accomplish your projects easily.
To make your worklife seamless, you need to master the key to productivity and here are some ways you can do it: 7 Productivity Apps for Working from Home Guest Post: 7 Time Wasters That Reduce Your Productivity 8 Steps to Digital Productivity 6 Apps that increase Your Productivity
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