Multitasking seems like something to strive for and take pride in. After all, you can accomplish a lot more when you do more than one thing at a time. Right?
Psychology experts disagree. The brain thinks sequentially, so when you multitask you are really just moving between multiple projects very quickly. They say there is no such thing as multitasking. It is just a myth. The only way you can do more than one thing at the same time is if one of the tasks does not take active thought, like eating or walking. And then there is the conspiracy theory. It might be possible that the idea of multitasking was invented as a way to make overworked people feel more productive and better about themselves.
The real key to being most efficient is focus. Allowing time to focus intently on one project at a time is the way to go. But, don’t take my word for it. Give it a try.
What are your thoughts about multitasking? Have you felt like it worked for you? Are you willing to try something new?
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It is a matter that is certainly close to my heart. Thank you!
Magnificent points altogether, you just received a new reader. What could you suggest about your submit that you made some days in the past? Any positive?
I’m not clear on your question. Can you tell me more about what you would like to know?
This is an interesting subject – rather like time management. Time is there as a resource to be used. We can manage our priorities and our behavior for using time but not the time itself. I think of multi-tasking somewhat the same. There are certainly some physical things that we can do at the same time as has been stated and yes- they use different parts of the brain which is part of the discussion as well. But what I think has to be looked at is the fact that these are tasks and what we can manage is their sequencing but we can’t really do more than one at any given time.
What we can do is break down our work into “chunks” and leverage what I call the “cooking time” of one task to shift gears and focus on the next one and come back to what we started once that time has lapsed. It will appear to be multi-tasking when it is really optimizing every moment for maximum productivity.
Love the discussion.
Great points. This is turning into an interesting discussion.
I do consider all of the ideas you’ve introduced for your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very quick for starters. May you please extend them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
Thank you for the feedback. My intention is to do both long and short posts. It seems that people who read them on their phones like them short and those that use their computers like more depth. I will definitely work on this.
I used to do multitasking a lot but nowadays I try to do one task at a time.
I think that most of us multi-task all the time. You talk and you walk. You drive, talk, and sing.
The question is which tasks you multi-task, how tired you are, and the like.
And, most psychology experts that denigrate multi-tasking have not tested those that claim they can- and do. Read my posts on this subject:
http://www.adjuvancy.com/wordpress/http:/www.adjuvancy.com/wordpress/one-two-three-four-i-can-do-them-all-and-more/
http://www.adjuvancy.com/wordpress/http:/www.adjuvancy.com/wordpress/brain-smarter/
So, go ahead. Time-slice (which is REALLY what we do). Just do it properly!
Interesting posts. Thank you for contributing to the conversation. Like you said, it may be different for individuals. Also, tasks like driving talking, and walking are more automatic and memorized so they do not use as much brain power. It will be interesting to see what others have to say.
Actually, they use different components of the brain- that’s the trick!
Great food for thought. I believe we’re all inherently multi-taskers. My challenge is to be more mindful about the tasks that I chose to do combine.
Love your “time slicing” term Roy!
I’m female, I multi-task naturally (yes, I am also sexist!)
Seriously though, I do usually have several things on the go. Back when I was employed, a certain manager insisted that I focus on one thing at a time – to the point of micro-managing. It didn’t make me any more efficient or get tasks done quicker. In fact, it slowed me down. It simply doesn’t work for me. My mind wanders… I get bored, I stop concentrating.
There does come a point when you are focusing on too much. Knowing when you are doing too much at once and when to cut back is a skill in itself.