It appears there is a marketing campaign doing the rounds about the problems of multitasking aka our inability to multitask. I agree with its message, we should not text and drive, check Facebook, or write emails and have a conversation simultaneously. Realistically, if you are a parent you often simply don’t have a choice between multitasking or not. I am, therefore, going to propose that you sometimes multitask when you do things around the house, that either belong to organising or decluttering.

How you can organise and multitask

This suggestion goes against the grain of science and some of our own experiences, but let me explain. We tend to not be able to concentrate on two things at once; fact. However, mundane household chores are things I prefer not to really concentrate on anyway. Things that I suggest you multitask on are:

Phone calls and laundry
Watching TV and doing the ironing
Listening to a podcast whilst decluttering ororganising
Dishes and waiting for water to boil
Having a fun time with your kids as you clean and tidy the house

I use phone calls all the time to multitask, we have this headset belonging to the phone, it is one of the best purchases I have made in years. I talk when folding the laundry, then sweep the floor and put the dishes away. By the time the phone call is finished, I look around the house and there is often a sense of surprise on what has been achieved. Items found their way into cupboards and the laundry has been folded, all the while the attention was only on one thing; the phone call. Other things to do are, involving the kids with organising their toys, sweeping or taking the bin out. You end up having quality time with the kids, you are teaching them life skills, being a role model and you get your chores done.

When not to organise and multitask

Please note, that there are many times not to multitask in regards to organising as well. These are the times that; we are sorting paperwork, clearing clutter or making new spots for things, - all of them take brain power. The simple maintenance of systems in our households, however, should after a while be on autopilot. This means you can multitask all you like as long as things get done.