16 Batch Your Tasks
SIXTEEN
BATCHING YOURtasks simply means doing similar things
at the same time. There’s a “learning curve” in everything
you do. When you complete a series of similar or identical
tasks all in a row, the learning curve allows you to reduce the
time required to complete each task by as much as 80 per-
cent by the time you complete the fifth identical task.
For example, in writing letters and correspondence or
answering e-mail, you bundle them all together and do
them at the same time.
You batch your telephone calls and return them all in a
row. If you have to interview a number of people, interview
them consecutively, one after another. Do all your similar
tasks at the same time rather than doing a little bit now and
a little bit later.