How To Multitask in the 21st Century

There is a sizable number of burdens one must endure on the quest to become an Elite serial entrepreneur and mogul—certainly many more than the requirements of a comfortable, middle class lifestyle. To ensure that you remain steadfast despite the burden bearing on your shoulders, we must clarify the art of multitasking that is so intimately connected to this career path.

Inspired by moguls, athletes, entertainers and musicians who seem to have endless accomplishments, many novice entrepreneurs strive to perfect the art of multitasking. While we recognize the cognitive costs of multitasking, we must redefine multitasking for the budding Elite. True multitasking does not simply entail attacking multiple tasks at once. Productive, efficient multitasking requires the ability to properly manage one’s time and highly developed organizational skills. Attacking a myriad of tasks at once with no clear goal in mind only reduces your productivity and efficiency—leaving you with a bunch of partially completed goals.

Between Facebook, BBM, SMS and email communication, access to information is simply seconds away. With the increasing ease of access to information, many begin to believe they have acquired all the answers—following the instructions of random guides found on the web and taking them to heart.  It is imperative that we remain critical thinkers and never take these misinformed posts at face value. An overwhelming portion of these guides to success weren’t even drafted by anyone of notable achievement or wealth. Thus, one must scrutinize the source of information to ensure that what is relayed truly proceeds in a logical fashion. Why follow a guide to success from someone who has yet to attain it?

There are some who will claim multitasking decreases overall efficiency, but these are probably the same individuals who cling to the notion that 8 hours of sleep is necessary. In the business world, it is irrelevant how fatigued you are or if you’re expected to complete a seemingly unrealistic number of assignments within a short period. You are given a deadline, and if you fail to meet it, it is likely that you’ll be terminated. This reality illustrates precisely why you must adopt our beliefs on multitasking.

Map out your plans. This is of the utmost importance. Throughout history, everyone from explorers, athletes, moguls and scientists have all had a road map to success.  How can one truly anticipate a safe arrival at success without proper planning and preparation for the task at hand? You must establish milestones to commemorate your progress on the road to the completion of your goal. This is not only to keep us on track, but also because concrete evidence of our accomplishments along the way will further motivate us. If you have tangible positive results from the mini-goals you set it is much easier to remain steadfast as we propel towards the long-term goal.

Time is arguably the most valuable commodity in life—always fleeting and never replenishing. Richard Branson has a portfolio of 300 companies, yet boldly declares that, “You must manage your blackberry, don’t let your blackberry manage you.” Take this message to heart, Elite. It is precisely when you have failed at proper multitasking that your Blackberry overwhelms you.

All the wealth and women could be yours, but will you have enough time to enjoy your success? If you have taken steps to make sure your schedule is solidified, it is impossible that the demands of professional life will dictate the course of your day. Proper planning allows you to carve out your day to your liking.

Mastering your schedule will ensure that you have ample time for both leisure activities and necessary productivity. Always remain highly flexible and preemptively attack your workload. Work, women, and wealth will throw unexpected curve balls at you on a daily basis–and the higher your level of preparation for each day, the easier your adjustment to these changes will be. You will recognize a huge difference in your level of productivity and quality of your work if your time is managed correctly.

Instead of jumping sporadically from project to project, allocate blocks of hours dedicated to each project at hand. This will ensure that not one second goes unaccounted for. You will begin to understand that your entrepreneurial endeavor is not nearly as grueling as you anticipated and your stress levels will stabilize, as you are not attempting to cram a weeks worth of work into a short allotment of time.

Along with logical time management and setting achievable milestones for your projects, the Elite must also be adept at properly prioritize their goals. Thoroughly thinking through the necessities of a given project will allow you to schedule your workload in order of DECREASING importance. It is imperative that you tackle the goals of higher significance first to ensure that in the event of unforeseen tragedy you can properly adapt to and recuperate from the setback. Variables including deadlines, the reliability of your team, and expectations must be considered in this process.

Consistent execution of your goals leads to momentum—and nothing will keep your more motivated and cemented to the path to success like a string of notable feats. It’s easy to talk about achieving your goals, but words mean nothing unless you actually execute—and we don’t condone unsubstantiated boasts.

Elite.