The Concept of Batching

The Concept of “Batching”

“Batching” email and Viva Engage usage (or whatever social network your company uses) is an easy way to avoid distractions, stay focused, and increase productivity. In other words, check these outlets at certain times of the day instead of sporadically.

Batching accomplishes the following:

• Reduces the total time spent on email and Viva Engage.
• Removes distractions outside of the designated batch times.

When you drop everything you’re doing to attend to your notifications, you are lowering your productivity. You might feel more productive, but the numbers show otherwise.

So batching sounds great in theory… But how do I do this when it’s so easy to get distracted?

1. Set up a time to check emails and stick to it.
2. Set up a time to check Engage and stick to it.

By doing this, you make sure that when it’s email time, you focus on your emails. And when it’s Engage time… you get the picture.

Batching is a productivity technique that involves grouping similar tasks together and completing them in a dedicated block of time. This method is particularly effective for managing tasks that can easily become distractions if not controlled, such as checking emails or social media.

The idea behind batching is to minimize the mental load of constantly switching between different types of tasks. Each time you switch tasks, your brain needs to adjust, which can lead to a decrease in efficiency and an increase in fatigue. By batching similar tasks, you reduce the number of times you need to switch contexts, thereby maintaining a higher level of focus and productivity.

For example, instead of checking your email every time a new message arrives, you could set specific times during the day to process your inbox. This could be once in the morning, once after lunch, and once before the end of the workday. During these times, you focus solely on emails, responding to messages, and organizing your inbox. Outside of these times, you ignore your email, allowing you to concentrate on other tasks without interruption.

Similarly, you can apply batching to your use of Viva Engage or other social networks. Decide on specific times to check and interact on these platforms, and stick to these times. This approach helps you avoid the constant pull of notifications and the temptation to check updates, which can significantly disrupt your workflow.

In conclusion, batching is a powerful strategy to enhance productivity by reducing distractions and maintaining focus. By setting clear times for specific tasks and adhering to these schedules, you can manage your workload more effectively and achieve better results.