1. Eating breakfast in the shower – MISS.
While a major time saver, the soggy cereal or soapy eggs probably aren’t worth it. Not to mention the questionable bacteria that live in the bathroom. Those who swear by it, keep doing you. But for the rest of us, taking breakfast to go might be a better option.
2. Doing homework while listening to music – HIT.
*Sometimes. When doing more or less “mindless” work (i.e. making flash cards, writing down vocabulary, etc.) it can make it more bearable. When taking an online test or reading, it may do more harm than good.
3. Talking on the phone while doing housework – HIT.
This is the perfect way to keep in touch with people while being productive. Dusting, cleaning windows, and doing dishes are all relatively quiet tasks that can be made less mundane.
4. Texting and driving – MISS.
No text is worth your life or the life of someone else. Honestly, it can wait. If you believe it can’t, consider hands free options, like talk-to-text technology or Bluetooth. Texting while driving is a serious multi-tasking taboo.
5. Responding to emails while on lunch – HIT.
This is something easy and mindless to do while you eat your sandwich or soup. You can step it up a notch by deleting, sorting, and emptying junk mail while you’re at it. If lunch is more of a sacred time away from work to break up your day, consider going through emails while on the toilet. More productive, though arguably less satisfying, than tabloids.
6. Watching TV while running – HIT.
Netflix and run is so much sexier than Netflix and chill. This is a great way to keep up on your shows and your cardio. As long as you’re coordinated enough to stay on the treadmill, the idea is foolproof.
7. Doing your hair while walking – MISS.
The time you’re trying to save will likely be swallowed up by icing your funny bone after inevitably hitting it or cursing out that miscellaneous clothing article you tripped over while being preoccupied. The bedroom and the bathroom are the best (and probably the safest) areas for hair and makeup prep. Trying to complete these tasks while walking around or doing other things is asking for a mishap.
8. Chewing gum while taking a test – HIT.
It’s a great way to channel nervous energies. Also, studies have shown that chewing gum while taking a test can actually prove beneficial. Consider chewing mint gum or chewing the same flavor while studying and taking the exam.
There are days where I’m unstoppable and days where I probably shouldn’t have left bed. Following these guidelines will help turn more days into the former as opposed to the latter. Best of luck to all of the multitaskers out there. I’m rooting for you. May the odds be forever in your favor.
