With only 24 hours in a single day and about a third of that time spent sleeping, it’s easy to feel like there isn’t enough time to get everything done. It’s natural to be wondering how to master multitasking when you’ve got so much on.
By having so many conflicting responsibilities, it’s almost a guarantee something important will fall through the cracks. Juggling multiple tasks in the day-to-day melee of competing priorities is difficult but not impossible.
Juggling multiple work tasks effectively is about three important principles: discipline, time management, and organization.
So, if you’ve been wondering, “Why can’t I multitask?” Take a mindful break from the work skirmish and absorb some valuable information that might just help you re-align your workflow for the better.
1. Discipline Yields Success When Mastering Multitasking
Being able to manage all your work tasks effectively doesn’t happen overnight; it requires practice and constant reinforcement.
With something as tedious as work projects, it’s easy to fall back into bad habits when approaching them, so it’s important to be disciplined with your work ethic.
When you first get to work, before you do anything else, take about five to 10 minutes and focus on the tasks ahead. Which emails should be answered first? Do you have anything due today? Can you get a head start on something due in the future?
Make this a habit every time you come in and try to see it through. By being disciplined with your time, you end up making more time for what matters.
If you are indecisive about what to start or finish, you’ll never make progress on any task, so above all, make sure that once you're moving on something you stick to it and finish it up.
Another way to stay on track is to write down what you want to accomplish.
Lists work because by visualizing your goals and responsibilities, you can have a more direct reminder of where your focus should lie. You can cross off your tasks as you go, post sticky notes on your computer or do whatever helps you remember.
With so much going on, it’s easy to forget important responsibilities, but having the discipline to see them through can help you manage your time more effectively.
2. Time Management Is Everything When It Comes to Juggling Multiple Tasks
Excellent time management is the difference between getting all your tasks done or not even starting one.
If you know how much time you have during the day, organize your tasks in such a way that you can juggle those multiple tasks and complete whatever is most pressing.
Not every task is created equal. You may need to put one assignment on the back burner to help prioritize your time. That doesn’t mean you’ll forget about it though! Always remember that you need to make time for “shelved tasks” and anticipate completing them in the time you have.
The thing with time management is that it’ll never go the way you plan. You may have an unexpected task, an emergency, or the task you were working on was canceled at the last minute.
3. Get Organized to Avoid Cluttering Your Workload
Organization skills help you know what task is next, so you can forecast your day.
Being organized doesn’t limit itself to just your tasks, it helps you in every aspect of the workplace.
One of the best ways to stay organized is to have everything you need at your desk and know exactly where to find it.
The same goes for your online files, put them in designated folders and bookmark websites you use regularly. This will help cut down on time and allow you to find everything quickly.
Not everyone thrives in a completely uncluttered environment, but if you are messy there should be a method to your madness or you’re only causing more problems for yourself.
Companies often use project management tools like Asana, Jira, and Slack to help keep tasks moving along. These programs serve as a digital to-do list and help keep everyone, including yourself, on track and accountable.
Now You Know How to Juggle Multiple Tasks at Once, Why Not Bring That Knowledge to a Career With Westgate Resorts?
We’re always thrilled to meet inspired, hard-working, creative candidates who want to make a real impact in the hospitality landscape.
Explore our open positions here at Westgate Careers and discover the Westgate difference today!
