Compartmentalize

The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I am intrigued with the fact that the word "mental" is in the word. For me, it illustrates the need to separate mentally what we are doing. One of the tricks I am learning is to separate tasks and do one at a time. As a recovering multitasker that isn't easy, but I am beginning to see the benefits of doing one thing at a time.

I remember being told that it is impossible to do two cognitive things at one time. A cognitive activity is defined as a conscious intellectual activity. Although for years I have prided myself on being able to do two or more things at once, I am beginning to understand that when multitasking my attention is divided, so I am not doing the quality work I would like. I also discovered that it often takes longer to do more than one thing at a time because of the fact that my attention is divided. The secret to getting things done and getting them done well is to compartmentalize and focus on one thing at a time.

I now divide my day into tasks. I map out what I will be doing from hour to hour. Instead of starting the day with a list of things to do and thinking that I will just work on all of it as I go along, I break my day down into tasks. I will spend an hour on project A, fifteen minutes making telephone calls, and another block of time on e-mail. By compartmentalizing my day, I actually can get more done faster with fewer mistakes and less frustration. It all boils down to focus.

I remember starting a project in the morning only to have that same project on my desk at the end of the day. I allowed myself to be distracted by all of the other tasks that needed attention. Now I realize that, if I focus on one thing at a time, I can get the task at hand done, and be ready for the next one. I am not saying this is easy, because life doesn't always fit into nice, neat compartments. However, by creating this structure, it even makes it easier to deal with those unexpected events life throws my way.

The trick with compartmentalizing is to discover what works best for you. Scheduling my time in one-hour increments works best for me. If the project I am working on doesn't take an hour, I have then created free time to do something else or begin the next project. I have also learned to be flexible and allow for unexpected events. I even build in extra time just for that possibility. It may seem very structured, but there is a lot of freedom in the structure. Instead of trying to do everything at once, I focus on getting one thing done at a time, and I actually accomplish more by the end of the day ? and avoid feeling scattered or as stressed as I once did.

Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching ? Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com.

Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com

True Direction, Inc. Copyright
>>>This article along with byline attached may be freely republished

---

Do You Have Scatter-Brain-Itis?

In your quest to get 'up and running' so to speak with your online ventures do you find yourself getting distracted by things that have nothing to... Read More

10 Common Roadblocks to Getting Organized

1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going to take a few days off from work and finally get this house/office together!" Doesn't sound very... Read More

Technology...The Culprit and the Tool

Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking, yet we are all too aware that technology is seen as the culprit as much as the... Read More

What Momma Never Told Me About Housekeeping

A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care of most everything. Now, we do things pretty much the way she did. What if there is... Read More

Organized Living-Secrets About Your Lifes Hidden Power Revealed

An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out those prolonged situations of failure...poor health...frustration... hopelessness...and cure undesirables like anger, loneliness, depression and fear, which are... Read More

Thinking Outside the Box

Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent helping people to put things into containers and boxes. But, success in this business requires as much... Read More

Identifying the Rocks: Organizing Your Priorities

In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written by Stephen Covey with Roger and Rebecca Merrill, is a story of the man in front of... Read More

Clutter Crisis?

Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind. Most of us complain about our cluttered desks, closets, bedrooms, kitchens, attics, basements, and even our cars,... Read More

Tossing and Turning

"The real question is, why do you want it? What are you going to do with it? That's where you've got to start; otherwise you're going to... Read More

Getting Organized for Achievement

Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals. A well organized person is more productive, has more free time, wastes less money, and experiences less... Read More

Addiction to Clutter

Clutter is a big problem for many people. At a lecture that I gave, I asked for a show of hands regarding how many people had problems... Read More

Quick Organizing Tips From Assistance For You

Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic plan that can be implemented into everyone's daily life. Just by following these simple steps you can... Read More

Cleaning Out Your Closet

Helping people clean out their closet is something I love to do. It helps me understand them by seeing what they have collected and what they hold... Read More

A Simple Effective Tool To Get And Stay Organized

Often we are in overwhelm because we are holding too many things in our brain. We are trying to make everything a priority and get it done... Read More

Spring Cleaning

Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with the hope and promise of the seasons ahead. The flowers blossom, our spirits lift. This is a... Read More

Are You A Collector?

Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or emotion, and are quite different than ordinary garden-variety "clutter." One man has a love of photography and... Read More

Clutter Campaign - Commit Your Time

Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to start. You have the same amount of time each day as did Thomas Jefferson, Einstein, and Mae... Read More

Compartmentalize

The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I am intrigued with the fact that the word "mental" is in the word. For me, it illustrates... Read More

Managing Mealtime Madness

It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what to make for dinner. In the process of searching through the freezer, she causes an avalanche of... Read More

10 Simple Ways to Clear Clutter from Your Home and Office

There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for something to accomplish a three minute task. Clear the clutter and clear your mind.1. Hold the intention... Read More

Spring Cleaning: Mission Garage Organization

Spring is here and the garage door is open. This is a scary thought for Cindy. Her garage is so stuffed that she can't even park her... Read More

Until We Go Paperless

From time to time I hear this question from an audience member during one of my presentations. They express a dire hope that getting organized is a... Read More

Clutter-Clearing and Your Authentic Self

Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control, the universe so unresponsive to your needs and desires, that you couldn't help it: you just had... Read More

Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have

"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts contending for a title. The aim of the competition was for teams to construct a torpedo that... Read More

Heres A Great Way To Organize Your Work From Home Office Virtually

How to do keep track of all you have to do on a daily basis? How about things that have to get done this week?.. How about... Read More

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards to Organize Your Life

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards to Organize Your LifeAre you still looking for the perfect organizing tool? Is your Filofax too bulky... Read More