Task batching means collecting similar small tasks — replies, calls, errands, reviews — and handling them in a single dedicated session rather than one at a time as they arrive.
Why it matters
Every switch between different kinds of work carries a setup cost. Doing like with like keeps you in one mental mode, which cuts that cost and frees longer stretches for deep work.
How to apply it
- Collect small recurring tasks into named batches (email, calls, admin).
- Give each batch a fixed slot in the day rather than reacting all day.
- Turn off alerts between batches so the queue can build.
- Keep deep work and batched shallow work in separate blocks.