![[:en]The key to multitasking[:sv]Mina tips till multitasking[:]](http://www.thomasfalkenstedt.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/iPhone-Image-E6A4B9-2-770x512.jpg)
[:en]Writing this I’m actually quite exhausted as it’s been an intense week. Apart from blogging I actually have a 9-5 job, study some random courses at the university, am involved in numerous organizations, got different personal things going on that I go to every week (including for example therapy sessions, more about that later on in the blog as there’s lots going on in my life you don’t have a clue about and I feel I need to fill you in with the gaps bit by bit), as well as trying to maintain some kind of social life and working out to stay healthy. In addition to that I’ve been to London for four days and just spent a few days in Stockholm meeting up with PR-agencies and attending events. Sound intense? It is! So now I’m sitting here in the airport lounge on my way to my grandparents for much needed pampering for four days. I’ll be listing my guidelines to multitasking here. Not saying they’re universal, but they work for me.
- Make sure you get enough sleep. It is recommended that adults sleep approx 7-9 hours a night. Without sleep your brain won’t work in the long run and your brain is kinda crucial for you to be able to carry on with the following points.
- Get organized! I’ll admit I’m a huge control freak, perfectionist and basically impossible to live with due to that. On a more serious note: Write down every appointment, planned phone call, visit to wherever, a coffee with your friend or whatever it might be in your calendar! You need to keep track of things. All of a sudden you find yourself in a situation where you’re no longer in control and you forgot to make that important phone call to your date. And we all know where that ends… (If not, the answer is you’ll end up as that crazy cat lady). You can organize any way you want. You can write down things on post-its, in a calendar, have them on a schedule (kinda like the ones you had in school) or as I do, use an app called iCal which is way much better than the one that comes pre-installed with your iPhone. Besides, it reminds me of things with notifications in case I’ve forgot.
- Take time to reset yourself mentally every now and then. In order to be able to keep your thoughts gathered you need a mental reset once or twice a day. I usually sit down with a huge cup of tea, listen to Japanese meditation music and actually meditate for 20 minutes every day. If that sounds odd, find something else that takes you mind off absolutely everything that’s going on in your head. Go for a quick run, watch videos on youtube (don’t get stuck there though), take a power nap. Whatever suits you best, do it.
- Don’t procrastinate! Every multitasker has deadlines. You need to separate the different deadlines and prioritize which one needs your attention immediately and which one can wait a bit longer and then get to it right away. Until you’re done with your project whatever it may be, there’s no procrastinating. If one thing is left a bit behind and hidden in the back of your head it’s all gonna come to a major crash with multiple simultaneous deadlines. The lesson being; Always set your mind to finishing something right away instead of waiting until the end of the deadline.
- Enjoy life! After all, enjoying life is why we work hard and multitask. If you don’t enjoy life, then what is the meaning of multitasking. There’s got to be a goal or a reason you’re doing it. For me the goal is to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. I fill my evenings with dinners with friends, going to the movies, concerts or just spending quality time with people who matter to me. Or, if you’re a lone wolf like me at times, just binge watch your favorite show for 8 hours in a row.
Photo: Johan Rastenberger
[:sv]Ärligt talat så är jag rätt trött när jag skriver detta. Det har varit några intensiva veckor med jobb, blogg, plåtningar, studier, diverse föreningar och organisationer jag är aktiv i, personliga ärenden (bland annat terapi jag går i, mer om det senare när jag lärt känna er lite bättre) för att inte tala om en sväng till London, Stockholm för att träffa PR-byråer samt gå på event, tillbaka till Malmö och nu sitter jag åter på Sturup (stället Gud glömt när han gjorde lista över flygplatser) på väg till mina morföräldrar för att unna mig en avkopplande helg och bli ompysslad. Låter det hektiskt? Det är det, men det är så jag vill ha det. Jag gillar när det händer mycket saker och efter cirka 2 dagar av avkoppling klättrar jag längs väggarna om jag inte får tillräcklig stimulans. Hur håller jag då ihop mitt utifrån sätt rätt så fullmaxade liv? Nedan följer några av mina tips hur man lyckas med multitasking. Därmed inte sagt att de funkar för alla, men de funkar för mig.
1. Se till att få tillräckligt med sömn! Det här går inte att nog poängtera och jag måste medge att jag inte alltid lever som jag lär. En vuxen människa behöver minst 7, helst 8 timmars sömn per natt för att fungera normalt. Jag märker genast av att varken huvudet eller kroppen hänger med om jag sovit 5-6 timmar några nätter i rad. Prioritera alltså sömn framför allt annat.
2. Organisera ditt liv. Jag erkänner att jag är ett kontrollfreak utan dess like. Jag är en pedantisk perfektionist som måste ha koll på minsta lilla detalj hela tiden och att leva med mig skulle troligtvis vara rena helvetet… Men för att vara lite mer seriös och ge handgripliga tips: Skriv ner vartenda ett litet möte, telefonsamtal, ärende etc. Vare sig du gör det på post-it-lappar, i en väggalmanacka eller i kalendern i din telefon är det viktiga att det blir nedskrivet. Själv kör jag en kombination av en överskådlig vecko- och månadskalender i min telefon samtidigt som jag för varje dag har en att-göra-lista som kan bestå av allt ifrån att komma ihåg att köpa mat på vägen hem till att möta upp en fotograf på kvällen.
3. Egentid. Ge dig själv tid att varva ner. Personligen gör jag detta genom meditation vilket inte är så jobbigt som det låter. Jag avsätter 20 minuter varje dag åt att meditera. Jag tar på mig hörlurarna och lyssnar på japansk meditationsmusik och kopplar ifrån omvärlden helt och nollställer mig själv. Detta nollställande kan du göra genom att springa en löprunda, styrketräna, lösa korsord, ta en powernapp, kolla på YouTube (men fastna inte där) eller vad som helst annat som nu kan tänkas få dig att inte tänka på nuet och får dig att stressa.
4. Prokrastinera inte. Dvs skjut inte något på morgondagen utan ta tag i saker direkt. Alla multitaskare har deadlines. Beroende på projektets natur kan vikten av deadlinen variera, men en deadline är ändå en deadline och saken blir inte bättre av att du lämnar det till sista stund. Då tenderar saker och ting falla ihop och du står där handfallen. Gör undan det som känns jobbigt så har du det gjort. Här finns inga genvägar.
5. Njut av livet! Vad vore nyttan av att multitaska om du inte kunde njuta av ditt arbetes frukter. Seriöst. Se till att du har tid över för det du älskar mest i livet. För mig handlar det om att ha tid och råd att umgås med mina nära och kära, äta goda middagar, gå på bio, opera, teater, museer, att resa. Eller om du som jag är ensamvarg (åtminstone ibland), ha tid över för att sträckkolla 8 avsnitt av Game of Thrones om du så vill. Det hela handlar om att effektivisera sitt liv så att man har tid över även till annat!
Foto: Johan Rastenberger[:]
![[:en]Leaving London, but I'll be right back[:sv]Lämnar London en liten stund[:]](http://www.thomasfalkenstedt.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MG_7850-370x340.jpg)
![[:en]What's on your playlist?[:sv]Vad finns på din spellista?[:]](http://www.thomasfalkenstedt.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/20160824-DSC00919-Edit-370x340.jpg)
Gemma
September 8, 2016 at 12:10 pmGreat tips, I agree with it all! Gemma
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 6:53 pmThanks sweetie!
xoxo
Thomas
Eric K
September 8, 2016 at 1:01 pmThis is so nice Thomas, love this blog as well. Very hectic day for you and I personally love this kind of hectic days. You suggestions are all on point . Love it . Love it buddy
http://www.EricKFashion.com
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 6:55 pmThanks a lot Eric! Comments like this mean the world to me!
Have a great Friday!
/Thomas
Jalisa
September 8, 2016 at 3:18 pmThis is such a great post, Thomas! I used to be much better at being organized before I got married, haha. Seriously. I’m much more of a Type A person than my husband who is the complete opposite. I think I changed a bit because dealing with the imbalance in our perspectives was getting me so stressed (typical Type A) that I just stopped stressing out about those things and slowly stopped doing them. Lately, however, I’ve been coming across such great videos and articles, such as yours, that have been inspiring me to get better at what I once was. I tend to overwork myself by nature and not having an allotted time and schedule written makes life that much more difficult and overwhelming. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you enjoy the time spent at your grandparents! Also, this photo is so cool, such a great shot and perfect for this post!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 6:58 pmHaha, that’s probably a reason for me to never marry and the way I look at it, I probably never will… Thanks for your lovely comment and have a great Friday!
xoxo
Thomas
Kreshma
September 8, 2016 at 9:52 pmI hope you spend good time with grandparents and take some rest ??
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:02 pmThanks sweetie! I’m resting to the fullest 😀 Have a great weekend!
xoxo
Thomas
Gina Diaz
September 8, 2016 at 11:02 pmHappy to be back here, I love your post! the picture is so awesome!!! top 🙂 thank you Thomas for sharing this, I am working on #4 right now with piano. I wish you the best time at your grandparents.
sending big hug & much love
Gina
http://www.artsyrunway.com
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:03 pmOooh, piano is such a great way to do that! I played it for 12 years, but then just stopped. I nowadays regret I did. :/ But thanks for all the love sweetie!
Big hugs and lots of love back to you!
xoxo
Thomas
Adelina
September 8, 2016 at 11:34 pmOh my goodness!! I can relate on so many levels and appreciate this post, your honesty and tips. Get some good ol TLC at the grandparents – I only have one left and she’s in Bulgaria! Love what you have in your life and do your best. Don’t try to perfect everything (note to self) and those mental breaks are a must!!! Other than that cheers to type being A personalities 😉 xo, Adelina
http://www.thecharmingolive.com
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:05 pmI’m getting all the TLC I could ever ask for! Right now I’m sitting with a huge bowl of ice cream after just having finished an amazing home cooked dinner. I’m gonna have to go on a diet after these days over here, haha.
But exactly, let’s make a deal in not trying to be too perfect. Mediocre is ok too (sometimes).
Have a great Friday sweetie!
xoxo
Thomas
Sharon Wu
September 9, 2016 at 1:07 amOMG Thomas! You work a 9-5 job?! What exactly do you do? I thought that you did blogging full time! You are freaking amazing and have awesome multi-tasking skills. Thanks for sharing your secrets because I really need to get on it! And here I thought I had a lot on my plate… lol! xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/beauty/prolong-your-summer-tan/
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:08 pmHaha, I know right. I do have to admit I need to get better at that getting enough sleep part as I’ve been lacking some of it lately. But this weekend I’m over at my gramps and will hopefully catch up on some of the lost sleep.
Hope you’ll have a great Friday babe!
xoxo
Thomas
Michelle Sun
September 9, 2016 at 1:24 amI absolutely love, love, love this post!!! Anything interesting, inspirational, and helpful, I’m all for it! Thank you for writing this detailed post and addressing several points that really help make someone a great multi-tasker like yourself! This post has seriously inspired me – maybe I’ll write a similar version someday but with a twist of my own personality/habits, haha 😉
– Michelle Sun
@missmisschelle
http://www.missmisschelle.com
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:10 pmMichelle my dear, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad if I can be of inspiration to someone, but I must say YOU inspire me with your courage and bravery in your posts. You’re a true figher!
xoxo
Thomas
Bernice
September 9, 2016 at 5:18 amGreat read! My biggest issue is always getting enough sleep to power me up throughout the day!
http://www.bunnybernice.com/single-post/2016/09/09/No-time-for-time-wasters
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:11 pmI know right. That’s my weak spot on this list . 🙁 But let’s make a pact that we’ll get more sleep from now on!
Have a great Friday sweetie!
xoxo
Thomas
Heidi
September 9, 2016 at 7:51 amYou are inspiring. Everything seems so simple when you describe it so well, but my experience is that it is the simplicity that can be the hardest to achieve. Being in your body, here and now, in control but not really.
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:12 pmI get what you mean Heidi. Sounds so simple, but is far from it! So thus it’s actually a full time job and full time focus to stay in balance. It’s a thin line you’re walking on…
Puss och kram på dig!
Thomas
Isabel
September 9, 2016 at 6:32 pmLoved this post and all the tips.
You make it seems so simple!
I do daily jogging and it makes me feel so balanced, I think we all have to do something that we really like at least once a day. When I don’t run I shop :)! Makes me feel happy as well !
Keep the good work, your are a great inspiration!
Isabel
http://www.bloggingmycloset.blogspot.com
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 9, 2016 at 7:13 pmAww thanks Isabel! 😀
Haha, I might add that I do comfort shopping as well as rewarding shopping as well as just casual shopping. Shopping is good therapy, haha.
Have a great Friday!
xoxo
Thomas
Christine Kong
September 11, 2016 at 9:03 pmTotally need these tips. Life gets so busy and we need to remind ourselves to slow down and try and multitask the best way we can. xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 20, 2016 at 7:16 amI wish I was as good at following them myself, haha. 🙂
xoxo
Thomas
Thomas Danielsen
September 20, 2016 at 6:53 amGreat article, great read! You write well! Love that picture too, very awesome!
thomasfalkenstedt.com
September 20, 2016 at 7:16 amThanks Thomas! I’ll get back to you later on today!
sfdsf
September 25, 2016 at 4:19 pmHowdy! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
Linda
February 15, 2017 at 1:46 pmThanks for the wise words Thomas!! Thank you for a good reminder on how to make sure you get everything you want done, need to do less procrastination and more planning! And of course, wonderful”bumping” into you here! 🙂 Congratulations on a great blog and for going for your dreams!! (Linda – från Mattliden tiderna 🙂 )