Multi-tasking gets a bad rap. It’s seen as a distracting timewaster that scatters your attention and results in not much of anything getting accomplished. However, some decluttering tasks require minimal attention and are perfect candidates for multi-tasking.
I think multi-tasking while decluttering can encourage you to work on tasks that you may otherwise have procrastinated doing. Doing multiple tasks can also alleviate the tedium of some tasks that don’t demand your full attention.
However, if you’re trying to do multiple high-level activities that require a lot of focus, you aren’t really able to multi-task. All you’re doing in that situation is bouncing from one activity to another. Layer in the fact that each time you switch to an activity (even if you’ve already been working on it), you’ll suffer a delay of approximately 20 minutes just to get back into the thought process of the activity.
Below, I’ll talk about how to decide if you want to do two things at the same time, how to intentionally rotate between three small tasks, and how to give yourself a break from a complex task so your time working on them is more effective.
When to Avoid Multi-Tasking and Decluttering
Stretching or scattering your attention works when you don’t need to give careful consideration to your actions. If you are sorting through sentimental items, you want to be present as opposed to being distracted. If you’re deciding which papers are important to keep, you want to pay attention.
If you are struggling with your emotions while trying to choose what to keep and what to get rid of, avoid multi-tasking. You might think that engaging in multiple tasks would be a welcome distraction, but you’ll want to understand the thoughts behind those emotions so you can address them and make choices that you’ll be happy about.
And you may be someone who finds it too stressful to try and listen to an audiobook while you declutter your socks. Chances are you already know, from other activities, when or whether you feel comfortable multi-tasking.
Multi-task only if it helps improve your decluttering experience. If it makes it more challenging, don’t bother trying to do more than one thing at a time. You’ll be less stressed, and you’ll save time by focusing on a task so you can complete it.
How to Multi-Task While Decluttering
You want to avoid scattering your attention and your energy on too many things at one time. If you can’t physically and mentally perform the two tasks simultaneously, you’ll be likely to exhaust yourself and waste time switching your focus from one activity to the other.
However, habits and mechanical tasks require little attention and are perfect for multi-tasking. For example, if you are cleaning or tending to some decluttering and organizing tasks, you can combine those tasks with –
Listening to an audiobook.
Listening to a podcast (although not one so thought-provoking that it’s going to command your attention).
A light, catch-up sort of conversation (as opposed to one on a serious topic or a conversation that involves scheduling time or planning a project). This could be in-person or on the phone, if you use Bluetooth.
Watching television.
Light supervision of your children or grandchildren.
What types of decluttering activities pair well with multi-tasking? Those that don’t require a lot of decision making. So, sorting through socks or underwear doesn’t require much thought. Also, if you have old files and you’ve determined what you need to keep and what you can toss, this doesn’t require a lot of your attention.
How to Beat Decluttering Boredom with Multi-Tasking
Because so many of the activities you engage in around the house need to get done frequently, it’s easy to lose your motivation. However, then things get messy, and you end up playing a frantic game of catch-up.
Multi-tasking can add a light challenge to a group of small tasks that don’t require problem solving or critical thinking skills. For example,
Regular housecleaning tasks.
Filing papers.
Shredding old papers with personal information.
Folding and putting away laundry.
Washing the dishes or emptying the dishwasher.
Tidying rooms, putting things away.
Non-emotional decluttering of things that don’t require much decision making.
For this type of multi-tasking, you will select three tasks that you will work on. You should have everything you need to do each task. This may require some prep work (such as pulling the laundry out of the dryer and bringing it to the place where you’ll fold it).
Then, you choose the order that you’ll rotate from one activity to the next. If you must move to different locations in your home, plan a logical path of movement from Task A to Task B to Task C.
Set a timer for 10-to-20-minutes. Work on Task A until the timer goes off. Shift to the next area in your home and set the timer again to work on Task B. Repeat to do Task C. If you have the time, and the tasks require additional effort to complete them, repeat this circuit one more time.
This could look like (A) file papers, (B) sort through food storage containers, (C) rearrange bookshelves, grouping books by subjects or authors.
Each task in and of itself could feel tedious, but because you’re just working for ten minutes at a time before switching, you can stay focused and work with higher energy.
Make the Most of Multi-Tasking While You Declutter
Remember, multi-tasking should improve your decluttering experience, otherwise it only creates stress.
Choose television shows, movies, podcasts, and audiobooks that are lighthearted or fun as opposed to deep dives into a topic that will only distract you.
Keep tasks small so you can finish them during the time you’ve allocated. If you’re doing a task that you’ll need to return to (going through old files), determine what you want to get done during a session. This also helps to give you a sense of progress.
If you feel stressed and stretched by trying to do too many things at once, don’t. Know if you are someone distracted by background sounds or trying to do too many things at once.
How do you do multi-tasking when you're decluttering? Or do you prefer to focus on one thing at a time?
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