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Learn some tips for breaking what we now know are actually bad habits

The Quest to Use My Time Better

I just discovered I missed Single Tasking Day. I guess that Single Tasking Day wasn’t on one of the 14 tabs I had open on February 22^nd, which is when the rest of the world celebrated this notorious day. (OK, February 22^nd was on a Sunday this year, so I probably didn’t have 14 tabs open, but I was likely trying to do at least four different household chores at the same time, and doing a mediocre job at each of them.)

I discovered this in an article about how what I once cited in job interviews as one of my strengths – multitasking – is now known to be less productive and leaves us more exhausted. The article caught my attention because I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately on how life really is camped out in the fast lane.

Back to Jumping on the Single-Tasking Bandwagon

In the article “The Real Cost Of Context Switching [And How To Solve It],” author Dominic Kent writes that context switching (or what I call multitasking) is asking your “brain to change focus while retaining focus.” Looking at it that way just sounds like we’re asking for trouble.

As we switch between apps, tabs, or tasks, Kent says, “We lose focus on the first task and our brain tries to catch up to what we’re trying to achieve in the second task. As a result of constant context switching, our brains become fatigued. And when your brain becomes fatigued, your whole body becomes fatigued. Don’t forget, it’s your brain that tells the rest of your body what to do.”

As you switch between/among tasks, you’re just confusing your brain.

How to Make Changes in Your Workday

I already confessed earlier in the article that I’m not proficient in single-tasking, so I asked Copilot for some suggestions to improve. The AI app was kind enough to suggest changes that place “an emphasis on being realistic in a busy day” and “adapting them for high-interruption jobs like risk management,” so here goes:

Define “focus” as flexible, not uninterrupted

• Plan in short, adjustable blocks. Aim for 20–30 minutes of focus, knowing you may be pulled away.
• Set a “default task.” Decide what you return to after an interruption so you don’t lose momentum.

Triage before you react

• Pause for 10 seconds before switching tasks. Ask: Is this urgent, or just new?
• Use a simple triage rule:
• Now: Safety issues, active incidents, deadlines today
• Next: Time‑sensitive but not urgent
• Later: Everything else

This prevents every email or message from hijacking your attention.

Contain interruptions instead of fighting them

• Create interruption “windows.” Let stakeholders know when you’re most reachable (e.g., top of the hour).
• Use status messages strategically. “In focus mode—monitoring urgent issues only” sets expectations without being unresponsive.
• Keep a running interruption log. Jot down what pulled you away so you can quickly resume where you left off.

Single‑task within interruptions

• Handle one issue start‑to‑finish when possible. Avoid partially responding to multiple risks at once.
• Close the loop before switching. Even a brief summary note (“emailed counsel, waiting on response”) reduces mental clutter.

Design your workspace for fast re‑entry

• Leave yourself breadcrumbs. End focus blocks with a one‑line note: “Next step: review contract exclusions.”
• Use checklists for recurring risk tasks. This minimizes mental load when interruptions break your flow.
• Limit open files. Keep only what relates to your current issue visible.

Protect energy, not just time

• Batch lower‑stakes tasks together. Admin work, follow‑ups, and documentation can live in a designated block.
• Schedule focus for your calmest hours. Early morning or late afternoon often work best in risk roles.
• Acknowledge cognitive fatigue. High‑stakes decision‑making drains focus faster—short breaks are not wasted time.

Reset intentionally after disruptions

• Use a 60‑second reset ritual: Deep breath, read your last note, restart the task.
• Re‑prioritize mid‑day. In high‑interruption roles, morning plans often change—adjust without frustration.

Additional Tips for Consideration

• Only have browser tabs open that are relevant to the single task you’re working on now
• Shut down email.
• Silence your phone.
• Turn off all other notifications.
• Take computer breaks.
• Practice, practice, practice.

Bottom line

In risk management, success isn’t about avoiding interruptions—it’s about recovering focus quickly and deliberately. Single‑tasking here means knowing what matters most, handling it fully, and returning to it calmly when the next issue inevitably pops up.

Planning Ahead for 2027

Just in case you were wondering, Single Tasking Day is celebrated annually on February 22^nd. I’ve marked it on my 2027 calendar, but I’m really hoping by that date, I’ve made at least some headway in being more focused on tackling one task at a time – at least for some part of most days. Who is with me?

AI and I collaborated to craft this article.

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