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The Amy Porterfield Show

#550: The Cost of Context Switching & How You Can Minimize It

The Amy Porterfield Show

Amy Porterfield

Entrepreneurship, Business, Marketing

4.95K Ratings

🗓️ 7 March 2023

⏱️ 13 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Toggling between apps negatively impacts your focus – here’s how to minimize it (and still get stuff done) On any given day, I have a number of apps open on my computer and my phone to help me run my business -- from Asana, to Voxer, to Kajabi where I host my digital courses. Thank goodness for these platforms, because let’s be real – even just ten years ago, having an online business was much more difficult because this sort of technology just wasn’t available. And while these applications allow online businesses to run seamlessly, I recently read a study that reported that the average person spends five work weeks – or nine percent of their annual time at work – context switching, a.k.a reorienting themselves after toggling to something new. That’s a lot of wasted time, and beyond that, constantly having to readjust takes a toll on your ability to focus.  This article really got me thinking about some different ways that I could minimize context switching in my workday -- and since I’ve put some of them into practice, I’ve noticed that I’m much better able to stay in the zone. In this episode, I’m sharing the four ways I avoid context switching throughout the day, and how it’s helped me to be more productive. So close out of all those apps on your phone, pop in your earpods, and get ready to focus on this informative episode.   Here’s a glance at this episode... [03:22] Context switching is going from one application to another. Average users toggle between apps nearly 1,200 times a day. [04:41] Context switching increases the brain's production of cortisol. [06:31] I plan out my ideal work week and set themes for each work day. [07:22] I have guidelines in place for Slack. I don't want my team to have to stop and check the app every time there's a notification. [08:11] Look at all the tools you use and how you use them to decide if there's any way you could simplify the process. [08:47] The most important thing you can do is give yourself permission to stay focused and in the zone. Setting timers is a great way to do this. [10:47] Homework: What do you plan to do in order to reduce context switching? DM @AmyPorterfield with one thing you're going to do in the next 24 hours. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Transcript

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0:00.0

Before we get started, I wanted to run something by you if you've ever thought about creating

0:05.4

a membership in order to turn your knowledge or passion into recurring revenue.

0:11.4

My dear friend, Stu McLaren, is hosting an incredible three-part live workshop series

0:18.4

where he's teaching proven strategies to launch or grow a successful membership.

0:22.9

So Stu is the number one expert in building massively profitable and impactful membership

0:28.5

sites.

0:29.5

He taught me everything I know about running my own multi-million dollar membership, and

0:35.6

now he's sharing his knowledge with you.

0:37.9

And did I mention these trainings are 100% free and they're live, which makes it so much

0:43.8

more fun.

0:44.9

So visit AmyPortafil.com-board-slash-workshop to reserve your spot so you don't miss a second.

0:51.6

AmyPortafil.com-board-slash-workshop.

0:55.9

The people they studied spent just under four hours a week getting their bearings after

1:01.7

toggling to a new application.

1:04.6

So over the course of a year, that adds up to five working weeks or 9% of their annual

1:11.7

time at work.

1:13.4

I think that's a heck of a lot of time wasted simply going from app to app.

1:19.0

And beyond that, constantly readjusting also takes a toll.

1:26.6

I'm AmyPortafil.

1:28.0

X corporate girl turned CEO of a multi-seven figure business.

1:32.2

But it wasn't all that long ago that I lacked the confidence, the budget, and the time

1:37.8

to focus on growing my small but mighty business.

...

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