Skip multi-tasking

Multi-tasking is not your friend. As a society we pride ourselves on being able to keep a lot of balls in the air. Unfortunately studies now show that the more we multi-task the less we learn and concentrate. While multi-tasking is often unavoidable try to reserve time to focus on certain tasks. Cut out distractions like phones, email, kids, TV and radio. You will be amazed how much you can get done, and the clarity of which you do it when you are uninterrupted.

a. Foerde, K., Knowlton, B.J., & Poldrack, R.A. (2006). Modulation of competing memory systems by distraction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103, 11778-83