Monotasking: From Procrastination to Productivity by Cutting Down on Tasks to Do

by Staffan Nöteberg

The theme of this book is managing time and overcoming procrastination. Based on the personal experience for years, the author Staffan Noteberg pioneers a set of simple, flexible and powerful monotasking method which can effectively help you to strengthen self-control and improve focus. The book details the method in six chapters, namely 'cut to-do tasks', 'focus on one thing', 'never delay', 'work step by step', 'simplify the collaboration' and 'recharge your creativity', helping you to easily complete all tasks in daily life.

Author Biography:
Staffan Nöteberg wrote the quarter million bestseller Pomodoro Technique Illustrated. The sequel will be published in 2016. For speaking engagements, send an e-mail to speak@staffannoteberg.com

Genres: Productivity, Nonfiction

171 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2017

Reviews

[Amy Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information and content was great. However, the delivery was very choppy. The whole book was basically one long list, so the information didn't feel very cohesive. While I thought this book was well researched and information-packed, it was hard to retain what I was reading due to the giant tip list-style writing. It felt more like a blog post with tips, but 300 pages of that, making it very difficult to keep everything straight.

[Lisa Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

花了一周的零散时间读完了这本单核工作法，收获很大。以前总是觉得自己在工作效率和时间规划方面有所欠缺，特别是现在，总是有各种会议或者别的来打断工作，不像博后阶段，总是有大块时间来做研究。这本书里的方法对我现在非常有用。核心观点是：
What: 单核时间（比如一个番茄钟）只用来专心的处理一个任务。
How：准备一项此时此刻我最该干什么的清单，不超过五个任务，把全景闹钟设置到下一个整点或半点，距离现在25分钟以上，开始专注五件事最重要的一件（注意不要颠倒优先级，把紧急当作重要，是错误的）。当闹钟响起的时候，单核时间切换到全景时间，稍微休息，并且继续规划下一个单核时间，思考拉金问题：我现在应该干什么最好。

本书的好处是每一张都有个思维导图和问答式的小结。这一点有助于每章读完还能复习一下要点。

[OceanStar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 30% is good enough, really recommend it. The rest is not as good, more like foam. But anyway, I learn something new. As a CS student, never really apply the knowledge into my personal work system.

[Ken Chew]

Simplistic, not much value to wade through

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely good, concise, short read.
I most probably will/should be re-reading it periodically.
As always, nothing marginally new, but laid out almost perfectly.

[Alex Fürstenau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat confusing. I liked his first book (Pomodoro) but I am not sure about this one. I mean, if you know what done means for a specific task, try to stay on it until it's done.

[Prakash Rajendran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of some very good tips and references to scientific studies but lacked coherence and a flow!

[Nanda Kumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt that most of what is being talked about here is straight from the book 7 habits of highly effective people. I'd suggest reader read 7 habits instead

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Monotasking is about doing the most important task,” Noteberg writes, “and focusing only on that single task.” (Loc 1981/2606) It is a much better way of efficiently working rather than the supposed multitasking. Studies have shown multitasking is a myth and what is actually happening is task switching. Such switching of tasks consumes productive time, induces errors, reduces emotional intelligence, raises cortisol in the brain and is energy intensive. Trying to do everything at the same time yields the same results as doing nothing.

Monotasking, Noteberg says, is the answer. He provides the practices and tools to conserve brain energy and put it to better use. He writes about prioritizing, time boxing, the importance of taking breaks, eating right, getting enough sleep and much more. He suggests setting an alarm and focusing on the most important task for at least 25 minutes. Then you take a panorama break, looking over the five tasks you've listed, identify the most important and set your alarm.

I like how Noteberg presents his material. Each chapter starts with a synopsis, then the teaching material, then a summary. His material is in small bits and could be read almost in an inspirational way, one a day.

He includes tons of practical suggestions on how to deal with issues interfering with the ability to monotask, such as interruptions to meetings, breaking down large projects, taking walks, mind mapping and more. My favorite aspect of this book is his repeated emphasis on the question, what is the best use of my time right now? I have to admit, his cute drawings came in a close second.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.