Tips #13 :: Stop Multitasking

15 Jul Tips #13 :: Stop Multitasking

When I say that you can complete your preparation and take the PMP® Exam in 45 days or less, most of my students do not believe me.  Each one of them would say something to the effect, “No, I cannot imagine being ready in 45 days even if I spend about 2 to 3 hours every day. Now, that surprises me.  I decide to talk to some of them to find out what actually happens. Every one of the students I talk to, tell me that it is difficult as they need to read each PMBOK® Guide chapter and corresponding EPMA notes minimum 3 or 4 times to make some sense. “And, that too, 3 to 4 times is sufficient as we have  already completed training” they would elaborate!

I decide to probe a little more. “ How exactly do you read or study? I want to know, time, place and scenario” I would ask them and here are a few samples of their responses

“I always study when I need to be present in the meeting, but do not have to talk much and my camera is off. Why waste time spent in those boring meetings? I put it to good use”

“I use my time in the kitchen. While I’m cooking, I do not have company anyway and I listen to the audio recording again while I’m cutting the veggies or something is boiling on the gas. Well I spend more than 2 to 3 hours in the kitchen, and I am making the best possible use of my free time”

“My baby would not sleep without me rocking him. I watch the recorded video while rocking him”

“I read the PMBOK® Guide with color markers. See I have marked whatever I have read. I think I just started yesterday but should be able to complete my first reading by the day after. I’ve been watching those IPL Cup cricket matches since yesterday. I read whenever there is bowling change or whenever the game is slow”

Side note: He had literally marked every word on the page. Did he really read it? 

Now I realize! Why ⅔ times? You will need to read something like 8/10 times if you are reading while you are doing something. 

“To do two things at once is to do neither.” Publilius Syrus

You cannot do multiple activities together, typically those that need focus. If you try that, you are preparing for failure. Instead of just marking the whole text and cheating yourself into believing that you have studied or read for 3 hours, it is surely better to spend 30 to 45 minutes dedicated to reading with focus.

These simple steps will help you read and get ready much faster.

1. Plan when you want to study. Say, 30 minutes immediately after breakfast
2. Immediately after the breakfast, keep all your distractions away (specially your cellphone and the messengers).
3. Ensure that you are not disturbed (If you have an important client meeting, you would do that. Isn’t it?) set an alarm for 30 minutes.
4. You will realize that whatever you have read, you have understood better.

Please remember that multi tasking does not help in the activities like studying