We live in the information age. The amount of knowledge available in a given field is multiply exponentially and in a short time it becomes obsolete to be replaced by new information.
Thanks to the internet and new technologies, we can access all this large amount of information for free and remain fully updated in our profession or field of interest..
The information is unlimited, however our time to access it is limited. Logically we can use our free time to continue cultivating. However, free time is often not enough or we simply want to enjoy it with more playful activities. The system that has given me the best results to continue absorbing information is the so-called multitasking system
The multitasking system to increase productivity
The multitasking system simply consists of do 2 tasks at the same time: a mechanical task and a "star" task. Through this system you will be able to increase productivity in a simple way.
The mechanical task is one that we cannot avoid or postpone. It is a fundamentally physical task that requires few attention resources. Cooking, cleaning or driving would be examples of mechanical tasks.
Conversely the "star" task is the task that will provide us with the information that we have consciously selected. It is a task that requires a little mental effort on our part. Reading articles in trade magazines or listening to specific radio podcasts are examples of star tasks.
It is not easy or productive to combine two mechanical tasks such as cleaning the house and cooking. In the same way, it is practically impossible to combine two star tasks such as reading a book and listening to a radio program..
However the perfect combination is the union of a mechanical task + a star task. Here are some examples from my life in which I use the multitasking system. In my case, the star task basically consists of listening to specialized radio podcasts.
As I have mentioned on occasion, an important part of my work is graphic design. Being a mechanical task, I can listen to radio programs of my interest at the same time that I am making the designs. If you have a job facing the public in which you practically do not have to do anything while there are no clients, in addition to listening to the radio you can also read a book instead of being connected to Facebook.
When I go for a run or go to the gym, I don't separate myself from my iPod. I have found that of all the areas in which I use multitasking, without a doubt in sport it is the most productive.
The ability to assimilate information when I run is much higher than when I work or when I drive. I have found that if I listen to a particular podcast while running and later listen to that same podcast at home, I can remember exactly where in my career I was when I first heard that information..
It is a phenomenon that I am sure has a very simple psychological explanation but it is still curious when you experience it in the first person, since the audio / geographical location association occurs unconsciously. This association makes us retain the concepts more strongly. You can do the test with the audios of the Psychology topics that I have posted on this page.
Pretty much the same as what I just discussed regarding work. The only difference is that since I do not have an Internet connection in the car, I must first download the podcasts of my interest and record them on a CD and then listen to them in the car..
The podcasts that I usually listen to while I go to work are related to the online marketing. I directly download the new programs, record them on a CD and already have them available to listen to in the car. Each podcast lasts approximately 30 minutes. Considering that it takes me 15 minutes to get to work, I can listen to a podcast a day in the car, counting the way back and forth. That's 5 podcasts a week.
Would you say that my knowledge about online marketing has increased compared to 1 month ago? After 30 hours listening to the leading experts on the subject, I would say yes. And if I continue at that rate, in 1 year I will have invested 240 hours of my trips by car to absorb information of interest to me.
If in your case it takes you 1 hour to get to work, that would be 480 hours per year. There are some masters that have fewer hours. Look for those programs that interest you. Burn them on a CD and turn the car into your private university.
Bryan Tracy affirms that if you spend 1 hour a day of your time reading about a certain field of your interest, in 2 years you will have become an expert. In 5 years you will achieve national reputation. In 10 years you will be a world authority.
Apart from increasing your knowledge on a certain topic, you will also make the mechanical task less monotonous. This I have perfectly verified when I clean the house since it is the task that I least want to do. However, if I am listening to a podcast while cleaning, the time passes faster.
In addition, changes also occur in the brain to physiological level. On days when I get bored at work, I come home mentally more exhausted than on productive days..
There are many sites on the Internet where you can download free podcasts. One of my favorites is www.ivoox.com which is something like a YouTube but exclusively for audio. Anyway if you are looking for something more specific you can search directly in google: "Psychology podcasts", "Economics podcasts", "Medicine podcasts" And a long etcetera.
It is said that it is not important to know something, but to have the phone number of the person who knows it. Social networks are a great opportunity to establish contact with experts in the field of your interest. Twitter is my preferred network in this regard. If you become a follower of the 2 or 3 experts in the sector of your interest, you will be able to see in turn which people they are following.
With which with very few clicks you will have a whole network of experts in your sector updating you with a large amount of information and content of your interest. Each of these experts will probably have their own blog with countless articles that you can print and even podcasts available for download. They will also recommend their favorite books, take you to other blogs, and much more. So don't forget: follow the leader.
What is your sector of interest? Where do you look for information to increase your knowledge on a certain topic?
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