On a contrary to popular belief, in our modern day, the person that can perform multitasking seemed to be the most productive person in office. On a daily basis you've got to work on multiple things at one go. We are bombarded from multiple projects at one shot. We get unplanned requests every day. What's worst, there are already fewer people in most organizations than ever before, and most of us have more work heaped on us that before. So you are productive. Right?

And what's more, business is not slowing down and the level of work product is not diminishing (it can be even more demanding). You've got more things to attend to. You have more gadgets to get you connected to the office. Your mobile, Blackberry, email, instant messaging and voice mail is our there to alert you. How can anyone get anything done with all these factors?

It can be really difficult to keep up with the pace of the business momentum - even so, work more quickly than the speed of business. Productivity is not just about getting through a task. It's about completing the task to a minimal level of quality. Rushing though a task generally declared itself as a lower quality work delivered. And what's next? It's either the work will be thrown back to you or its going to be given to some unlucky folk in your company to clean up the mess.

Our recommendation - as much as possible, focus on one thing at a time. You know you the lengthy list of "to-do" list on your table. And let's face the fact; multi-tasking is not really productive for everyone in most organizations. Especially when there is any quality or thought put to it. Our human brains are not designed to take two tasks at a time, not even the latest processor in of our time. The level of attentiveness to quality breaks down when we stack up with distractions.

Ok, we know it's impossible to do only one thing every day. You will be an overhead if you work this way. However, as much as possible, focus on one task at a time or do as much of that task as you can. Some tasks like responding to an invitation to tender or analyzing financial trends can take several days. And more than often, you won't be able to finish in a day with 8 to 9 hours of time put into it. You will go nuts! But again, we recommend that you work on the task as long as possible.

How to do that with all the distractions? Turn off your mobile, close your "I'm available" door, turn off the email notification. You will come under fire for those urgent tasks. But it's ok, they may not be as important. Your product will improve, you'll generate better quality work, and you'll get your stuff done more effectively and efficiently.

Yes, it also seemed like the current image of a corporate elite is one who walks around with 5 to 6 different active projects, talks constantly on his mobile (to whoever), running to meet his daily schedules or busy replying text messages on his Blackberry. These folks definitely put up an image that they are very busy but that does not necessarily mean they are effective. The only way to manage a lot of projects or tasks simultaneously in that manner is to delegate all the work and act as some time of a project manager.

So what now? Off with the conventional wisdom, ditch the Blackberry, close the instant messenger, dodge the folks in the hall and avoid the water cooler at all cost. Carry around one folder and only one, and put your entire attention into that project. You'll be the most productive person in the office.