Try Walking to Get More Done

By now we’ve all heard the studies and reports that slam the concept of multi-tasking.  You think you’re getting more done, but in reality, because you’re splitting your attention, you’re actually getting less done.

One of the areas where I always try to squeeze some multi-tasking in used to be on conference calls or just phone calls.  Not with my coaching clients, but on other calls, I would do email, surf the web, etc.  And invariably, I would miss something and ask someone to repeat something because I missed it the first time.

One of the tricks that I do for my coaching calls that has now carried over into most other calls is that I don’t sit at my desk for most calls anymore.  In fact, I don’t sit at all.  I get up out of my chair and walk around the office or even go outside if its quiet enough while on the call.  I have a pen and paper with me to take notes, but being away from the desk removes the temptation to try and fit more in.  It has allowed me to really devote my attention to the caller and the conversation – give it a try!