Multi-tasking, in many ways, is over-rated. Engaging in a second task while your computer is running a large query definitely makes sense. But there are many scenarios where multi-tasking leads to poor quality work or just less productive output.
Whenever I’m behind a car that is driving dangerously below the speed limit on the freeway, it’s always been an oblivious driver on a cell phone. How annoying is watching a person answer email during an important presentation? I just read an article that claimed people actually answered incoming text during sex.
If I’m really interested in a football game, you can bet that I’ll shut down my laptop. If I’m having a serious conversation with my wife, I’m not going to concurrently check my social networking sites on my iPhone . We know intuitively that to really focus, we need to be single-tasking. That’s when we are really productive, producing work with quality and depth.
I actually designate “Single-Task Days” for myself. I list out what I want to accomplish for that day, then prioritize each task. If two tasks are about equal in importance, I give higher priority to the task that I’m the LEAST excited to do. My reasoning is that I will always find ways to do tasks that I enjoy.
During these days, I really try not to let other things distract me from my list. These are some of my favorite days, when I let myself really focus on singular tasks. It’s during these days that I sometimes feel myself in a zone, when my tasks seem so much clearer and answers come easier. Such days can result in a great sense of accomplishment and progress — that is, until you are back to multi-tasking the next day.
John:
I love this- actually heard a speaker talk about how multi-tasking is perception rather than reality in that the brain can only focus on one thing at a time, albeit many of us are micro focusing between multiple tasks- the reality is we are wired to process lots- but all singularly. You are so right and I have been so guilty so often of detracting from the overall quality of the present moment by infeffectively trying to be somewhere else simultaneously. Thank you for this important piece and I have been wondering about something I”d love your input on. So if we are at a conference or luncheon tweeting out to world about event are we in fact doing ourselves and others a favor or would it be better to show up entirely present and then tweet later? Love to hear your input
As always- insightful
Pam,
Thank you for the kind comment. As for tweeting at a luncheon or conference, I think that is much like taking notes and may in fact help you focus more on the task at hand, which is learning from the speaker. For a recap afterwards, I would save that for a blog post.
John