Multitasking

Multitasking

Merriam-Webster online defines multitasking as: "the performance of multiple tasks at one time." There have been several studies that have suggested that multitasking actually slows us down more than it allows us to get more things done simultaneously. Last week found us trying to work, then rush home for a friend's milestone birthday party and prepare for an upcoming vacation. While home we try to get appointments done, groceries bought, laundry completed, go through the mail and restock the truck. We also try to squeeze in time with family and friends. We often say that we have to go back to work just to relax.

How do you juggle time on the road with time at home? Do you manage your finances in the truck or at home or both? Do you maintain the truck both at home and on the road? How do you get personal things done while on the road? Here is what we are doing to take care of a work thing while we are on vacation and also take care of a personal thing while we are working.

First, my personal vehicle needed some maintenance done on it. We just never seemed to have the time to take it in for service. We decided to take the vehicle to the shop the day before we were planning on heading back out on the road. We already knew that we would be working a short week and would be home to pick the vehicle up by the time the maintenance would be completed.

Second, we have a vacation lined up towards the end of this month. Our truck needs some cosmetic items taken care of so we have scheduled the work to be done while we are on vacation. In both cases, we are multitasking so to speak. In the trucking life, we have to schedule both personal and business items at the same time in order to be as productive as possible while taking advantage of some down time.

While this might not be what is meant by multitasking, I am trying to make a point. The point is that as business owners our time is important to us. We need to use our time in the best possible way. If the truck is in the shop and we have not planned well, then we have wasted very valuable time. Likewise, if my vehicle was in the shop while I am home and have no way to shop for groceries and other things to prepare us to go back to work, then I would lose time to run these errands.

Plans do not always line up as well as the above mentioned plans seem to be working; however, we try our best to plan so that our time is optimized as best as possible. Hopefully, this gives you ideas of how to optimize your time also.

Here's to millions of safe, profitable and OPTIMIZED miles.

Kelly Plumb