Multi-tasking in 2010
The myth says that ‘only woman can multi-task effectively, whilst man can only focus on one thing at a time’! Which is why a relationship, whether personal or business, between both sexes works so well as ideally we will require both to operate efficiently. Of course a lot of people will argue about this, and I’m not here to debate the facts, or discuss the science behind this; I’m here to assist with effective multi-tasking in business.
As women we have often had to juggle a career, breast-feeding, the school run, the house-hold tasks, as well as shopping, socialising and voluntary tasks (baking those cakes for the fund-raising school fete!!). So therefore running a business or two should be a doddle – shouldn’t it? What happens then if you have the male gene and you have various ventures on the go?
So often these days I meet people who have a selection of business activities on the go at any one time! This seems to be the trend for 2010/11.
So, how can you be more effective managing all of this work-load?
And secondly, should you in fact be doing more than one in thing in the first place?
It is often said that if you focus all of your attention and all of your effort into one area alone you will be highly successful. (Is this why there are more successful male business owners currently?) Spread yourself too thin and you risk not being successful at anything. So, where does that leave the women then I hear you ask! The vision of Margaret Thatcher’s ‘ball-juggling’ women certainly left me exhausted at the end of the day, and my cakes never did rise properly!! However successful women business entrepreneurs are on the rise, so something is shifting.
So, is it possible for you to run more than one business in today’s climate and still be highly successful? I believe it is, so long as you realise you can’t do this on your own! The day of ‘ball-juggling woman’ should really be over. You – male or female, will need to create a powerfully supportive team around you to assist in your empire building!
Multi-tasking itself is merely the ability to think Big Picture, have an over-view of everything that is going on at any one time, and deal effectively with the consequences.
So, do you need to multi-task at all? Or should you be delegating, leading a team and outsourcing things that are not your area of expertise?
Just a thought…
Sophie
