Imagine doing your laundry one sock at a time. First, you wash one sock. Then, you dry one sock. Finally, you fold one sock before returning to the next one.
That sounds insane. However, that is exactly how most people work.
For example, we answer one email. Immediately after, we write one paragraph of a report. Then, we answer a Slack message. As a result, we are constantly switching gears.
If you want to be efficient (so you can be lazy later), you need to stop treating your work like single socks. Instead, you need Task Batching.
What Is Task Batching?
Task batching is the art of grouping similar tasks and doing them all at once.
Your brain has a “switching cost.” Specifically, every time you switch from writing to emailing, you lose focus. In fact, it takes about 20 minutes to get back into the flow. Therefore, by batching, you remove that cost.
You enter a specific “mode” and stay there until the pile is done.
3 Ways to Batch Your Life
1. The Email Batch
First, stop keeping your inbox open all day.
Instead, check your email at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Process every single email in those windows. During the rest of the day, keep the tab closed. Consequently, you will write faster because your brain is in “Email Mode.”
2. The Errand Batch
Don’t go to the grocery store on Tuesday and the post office on Wednesday.
On the contrary, save them all for Saturday morning. Do a “loop.” As a result, you save gas, you save time, and you only have to leave the house once.
3. The Admin Batch
Paying bills, booking appointments, and filling out forms are low-energy tasks.
Therefore, don’t let them interrupt your real work. Save them for a “low energy” window (like Friday afternoon). Blast through them all in 30 minutes while listening to a podcast.
Why This Saves Your Brain
Your brain loves patterns. Because you do the same type of task repeatedly, you get into a rhythm.
Basically, batching allows you to coast on momentum instead of constantly restarting your engine.
Conclusion
You wouldn’t wash your clothes one item at a time. So, stop doing your work that way.
To summarize, group your tasks. Knock them out. Then, enjoy your free time.
Tell me in the comments: What is one annoying chore you can batch this week?
