I know I can’t be the only one that experiences this. You’re trying to get something done and every few seconds a new thing pops into your head that you need to do, look up, research, shop for, etc. At least I hope it’s not just me. This is a constant issue that I have and in the interest of being a productive human being, I had to find a way to cope.
This issue is mostly present for me when I’m trying to do school work. Or maybe it is just the most noticeable under that condition. Either way, I did finally find my solution. I am the queen of multiple browser windows with multiple tabs. This technique has been surprisingly helpful for me when I keep thinking of new things but need to continue to focus on one.
Here’s how it works: As I am working on a task that I need to focus on and complete, a thought pops into my head. I open another tab on my browser and put that thought into that tab. If the though is somewhat related to my current task, such as another school assignment that I remembered needs done, it stays in that window. However, if that thought is unrelated to the current task, the tab gets dragged out of that window so that it creates its own, new, random thoughts window. Any time a thought pops up that is related to the current task, it stays in the primary window. If it is unrelated, it goes into the random thoughts window.
Sometimes, the thought that pops up actually does need to take priority over the current task. In that case, it is opened in a new tab, pulled into its own window, and completed. Then I can close that window and I am right back where I need to be: my original task. Any time something pops into my head that needs addressed I open a new tab or window. The word “need” here is a relative term. If the thought is going to impact my ability to get my task done, it needs addressed in some way. This is the solution I have found that works best.
By having multiple windows it helps to keep me from being overwhelmed by what needs done when I am working on the primary task. I don’t have 100 tabs at the top of my primary window, in my field of vision, calling for my attention and I don’t have the nagging thought in my head that I need to do this other thing before I forget. I used to just jot down notes for myself instead but the combination of my sloppy, illegible hand writing and the lack of detail in the notes made it difficult for me to actually remember what I wanted to do. This was an issue that brought with itself a whole new set of frustrations (queue the hours long chorus of “what was that thing I wanted to do?” in my head).
This certainly isn’t the only way to manage this type of issue. It is just the one that I have found that works best. Do you have a technique that works for you to help with your productivity? Share it in the comments!