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Thanks for reading and commenting Klaus!
Two follow-up comments:
1. In the strictest sense, multi-tasking is switching from one task to another--often due to interruption. For example, you're deep into writing a report when someone walks into your cubicle and starts talking about some totally unrelated matter. When that happened to me at work, I could almost feel my brain trying to crank into another gear. Once I had to ask a co-worker, "What are you talking about?" Multi-tasking is not having multiple projects going at work.
2. You asked me for some specifics on the research I mentioned in my first comment. At Carnegie Mellon University, it's Dr. Marcel Just, for one. If you Goggle "multi-tasking effects," you'll get zillions more. Another suggestion is Google Scholar, which has more technical studies.
Again, great post on many levels. I want to write on this also when the blogging bootcamp is over.
I myself have thought for a while that multi-tasking is over-rated, but I do think that there are times when you simply must have a few things going on simultaneously. For example, I'll make dinner and play with my 2 1/2 year old at the same time. He may not get high quality mommy-time, but I still need to get him fed.
Thanks for stopping by!
Great, thanks!
I agree that it's very important to decide which tasks are critical and which ones are not. When I take a few minutes to really examine my to-do list, I almost always find unnecessary things cluttering up my day.
Terrific, thought-provoking post. The concept of single-tasking is gaining a foothold for many out there, mostly because we're tired of running ourselves ragged. I wish I could get there bro. But my reality is not cooperating.
I find that it is not really possible to single-task for me in my corporate position. I project manage typically several projects at once, many global in nature and with teams in the hundreds, costs in the millions. I find that much of my day is putting out fires on one project or another. It's because of this that I've become a highly skilled multi-tasker. I am quite adepted at seemingly bouncing from task to task. Case in point, as I write this comment, I am listening to Leo's Podcast from today, shoving artichoke dip in my mouth, jotting notes for my morning meeting at work tomorrow, and more or less freaking out about the article I have to put together for Write to Done. Now the keen (and sarcastic!) observer might note that were I better at managing my projects and my life, I might not need to multi-task all day.
After work, I spend several hours at the hospital because my baby triplets were born several months early. In order to get my blogging done, I actually will sometimes type into my IPOD Touch notes, while I am holding one of the babies. It's absolutely crazy, yes, but I actually thrive on it. Some folks are wired that way.
Now with all that being said, I am starting to evaluate my life to identify those most critical tasks that apply to my primary passions in life. I expect as I wind up my writing career and start to ween myself off the corporate sphere, things will begin to calm down. Then I can find my own Zen, but till then, things to do, people to see, things to do, all at the same time.
Namaste,
-Charley
You make a very good point about the corporate reality. The way a lot of businesses are set up, employees are -forced- to multi-task all the time. I wonder if that's one of the reasons why so many people dislike the corporate lifestyle. What's ironic is that all the multi-tasking might actually be hurting overall productivity. That might be a topic for us to explore in the future :) Thanks for bringing it up!
I used to feel like I thrived on multi-tasking too. But the more I really think about it, the more I realize I was on a kind of artificial multi-tasking high. I'm not saying that you are the same way, but it's something worth thinking about.
Thanks for reading, Charley - and good luck with that post for Write to Done! I'm still working on mine as well...
Thanks for pointing out some of the difficulties of NOT multi-tasking; something for me to think about!
Thanks for this reminder.
This reminded me of how I used to do things before I read Stephen Covey's books :P
One thing worse than getting many jobs done poorly is getting many things done well, only to find out that you focused on doing the things that don't really matter (The 80 part of the 80/20 principle, or the Not-urgent-not-important-tasks).
I can't tell you how many times I've fallen into that exact trap. But I'm working on getting better. "Clearing the air" by single-tasking really helps me in that department.
Thank you for the great reminder!
I do Lean consulting with organizations. For those who don't know what that is, it's the system that made Toyota the giant it is. I've applied it with a number of organizations. One of the key rules? Don't interrupt a process - mechanical, administrative or creative. Each interruption adds a tremendous penalty in terms of productivity and quality.
We all have problems keeping focused in this day and age, with all of the distractions that we face and the lure of constant stimulus. I'm not saying that you can be perfect or avoid all of that. But multi-tasking is a problem to be dealt with, not a virtue. We all do it to some extend. Don't beat yourself up. But don't brag about it either. Just slowly wean it from your life wherever you can.
There is an added benefit beyond the fantastic gain in productivity and quality. You'll enjoy it more.
I am so thrilled with this that I think I'll riff off this idea in my own blog and refer back to you. Fabulous.
YES! That's a great way to put it. In a way, multi-tasking is a series of interruptions, as we jump from task to task to task. All those little interruptions really add up.
I couldn't agree more - the less I allow myself to get distracted by a thousand other tasks, the more I enjoy my work. It's a great feeling.
I'm glad that you liked this post, Jim - thank you for the great compliment! Please do share your post with me when you finish it. I'd love to hear what you have to add!
I so agree. There's been a lot of research done on multi-tasking at Carnegie Mellon University and elsewhere. It turns out that our brains can't truely multi-task. What we do is switch from one activity to another. So we have to stop doing one thing and start to focus on another. The more complex the activities are or the more unfamiliar they are, the longer it takes to switch. That fits in exactly with your points #1 and 3.
I'm really glad you posted this because there's seems to be a myth in the business world that multi-tasking is a vital skill, young workers are really great at it, and older workers just can't manage it. However, much of the research showing how multi-tasking reduces productivity and increases error rate has been done with college students. So I loved your response to the comment about age.
Thanks for leaving such a great comment! I actually haven't read up on any of these studies; would you happen to know where I can get the information?
I think that multi-tasking will always have -some- place in the business world; the trick is to multi-task responsibly and learn to focus on just one thing at a time when necessary.
I liked your article and appreciated your view. I have to disagree personally though. I have found that when my work day is planned out, routine, and too well organized I am far less productive than when I have multiple things to do all through out the day. I find myself taking on extra tasks in order to fill my workday with constant activity rather than face, what I consider to be, a day of step-by-step work. By far, I am someone who responds far better in a reactive environment than any other.
Again though, thank you for your views. It helps to be familiar with both sides of any coin!
I really appreciate your comment! I agree that people have different work styles, and that having a lot of things going on may suit some people better. Personally, I see nothing wrong with taking on extra tasks in order to stay active throughout the work day. However, I do find it very helpful to complete tasks one at a time; I end up finishing things faster that way.
I'm curious - what makes you enjoy taking on extra tasks? Do you find that you're more productive when you stay in high gear constantly?
Thanks for sharing your point of view - it's always good to have a healthy debate going on :) Hope to hear from you again soon!
To that degree though, I think it is important to understand the art of delegation. When you over-purpose yourself, you have to ensure that once your assignments begin to overlap you have someone to fill the void in your stead.
To my point, I guess multi-tasking can truly be a positive thing for those who, like myself, feel the need to "stay in high gear constantly" (as you so correctly stated) - that is, so long as they know when to cut the cord, and know who best to hand it over to.
Also though, that isn't to say that someone who does tasks singly is any less valuable. The act of collaborating (in this instance multi-tasking and delegating between persons) runs the risk of producing a product that isn't fluid in thought or design. I may start with one vision, but however capable the person is who receives it from me is, they may have a different understanding and therefore the end result could end up being confused and overcomplicated if not completely worthless.
I guess I can only say I have found multi-tasking to work best for me ... thus far. But in relying on either end of the spectrum, there will always be faults. All we can hope to do I suppose is to learn from our mistakes (and hope our bosses can see us through that) and continue to fail and succeed until we find something that gives us our own best results.
I for sure am not even close to the mid-point in traveling that road :)
The biggest hurdle is forcing yourself to limit distractions and stop multi-tasking!
Great post and a great blog. Thanks to @zen_habits for turning me on to your blog. Subscribed!
It takes about 30 seconds for us to consciously switch back and fourth between tasks. Those 30 seconds really add up after a while.
Great post man.
The secret to getting things finished is to work on one thing, and work on it till its done.
Look forward to more posts! Thanks.
Glad to see you enjoyed this post :) Hope to see you back here soon with more great input!
~RW
I just came across an article that I thought you might find interesting. It goes along with what you have written here. Just passing it along: http://bit.ly/wmdgY
Hope this finds you well,
Adam K. Anderson
What are the solutions to counter the culture of multi-tasking? Especially in corporate environments where busyness is often mistaken for productivity?
Also, being able to effectively single task requires you to train the mind. A calm focussed mind is indeed powerful, but to get there requires some training. Especially in concentration. Any thoughts, pointers :-)?