How will task batching help me get stuff done quicker?

Are random small tasks interrupting your work multiple times a day?

Cat jumping on a laptop making the person using it jump back

Checking your email or running an errand may not take long, but sprinkle a few throughout your day and it can disrupt your productivity.

Use task batching to get related tasks done in one seating instead of randomly throughout the day.

Why Use Task Batching?

Switching between multiple tasks too often takes extra time because your brain has to change its focus too.

A robot saying, 'My method is more efficient.'

Task batching (along with time blocking) lets your brain focus on doing one thing multiple times.

This means you can get more done in less time.

Before Task Batching

Pick a day and write down everything you do at work. Does it look something like this?

Cats playing ping pong

8:00 am Answer emails
8:30 am Work on proposal
9:30 am Reply to posts
10:00 am Meeting
11:00 am Answer emails
11:30 am Lunch
12:30 pm Approve time cards
1:00 Reply to posts
1:30 pm Work on proposal
2:30 PM Approve expense reports
3:00 PM Answer emails
3:30 PM Work on proposal
4:30 PM Reply to posts

At first glance, this looks like a lot of tasks, which can feel overwhelming.

Looking closer, you can see a repeating pattern throughout the day when your brain has to keep switching focus from working on the proposal to doing other things.

Did you know?

This Byte was created by a volunteer professional that wanted to share this insight to help you succeed - no agenda, no cost.

After Task Batching

Instead of switching between tasks multiple times a day, what if you could have 3 hours in a row to focus on the proposal?

8:00 am Emails and posts
9:00 am Approve paperwork
10:00 am Meeting
11:00 am Catch up time
12:00 am Lunch
1:00 pm Work on proposal
4:30 PM Wrap up

3 store employees saying, 'Much better!'

This looks much less overwhelming. By batching together the smaller repetitive tasks, you free up more time in your day to work on the proposal uninterrupted and even have some free time for other things that may come up.