Do you believe that multitasking makes you more productive? I was thinking about this topic this morning as I walked my mother’s dog, Lacee while visiting in my hometown, Albany, GA. Walking is a type of meditation that I enjoy practicing when I take the time. I usually walk strictly for exercise prior to a serious workout, so it was great to walk at a nice pace and enjoy nature. Albany has beautiful trees, flowers and plants and the sounds of birds, crickets and nature always remind me of the joy of being alive and in the present moment.
Getting back on topic now. Multitasking provides the illusion of being more productive. Doing more than one thing at a time initially seems very productive until I really thought about what I was doing. Right now, I am typing this blog, listening to my mother and the tv is on in the background with the movie, Shopgirl playing. Oh, and I forgot, I just checked Google for thoughts on multitasking and found this blog, The Myth of Multitasking: How Doing it All Gets Nothing Done. Is that really productive?
Of course not, not really. However we convince ourselves that I can get some thing done or a few things done or maybe one thing done.One great sage, my mother, often says, “Focus, baby, don’t scatter your energy.” Great words from a wise woman.
Let me know your thoughts by clicking the comment button, I’d like to know what you have to say.
Multitasking is awesome. Multitasking sucks. Just depends on what day of the week you ask me. Multitasking is great for growth. In fact, multitasking led me to this blog. Otherwise, I would be in the trenches writing my latest article. Let’s be honest with one another, it’s human nature to explore off the main path. I think we have to occasionally allow ourselves that pleasure. On the other hand, nothing would ever get accomplished if we didn’t buckle down and focus on what’s important. And on that note, a better get back to that article. 🙂
As was said earlier, our society has mistaken handling numerous tasks at once (multitasking) with being “efficient” and *accomplishing* more.
It’s an mathematic axiom that complex systems require more attention to detail and bear more chance of failing than simple ones. Multitasking increases rather than decreases the complexity of challenges we face in a day when we really should focus on simplifying them for efficiency’s sake. Our strengths are divided, we scatter our energies, we shatter our focus, and our stress levels increase due to the demands on our senses, our intellect, and our physical health….what exactly is the payoff? Looking busy for appearance’s sake?
With this in mind, against the context of our daily living, multitasking doesn’t really advance us in any one particular task, and in fact slows us down in getting things done and off our checklist.
I have to conclude that multitasking is an emergency mode of living, meant for appeasement of the thousand-and-one concerns that can crop up at a moment’s notice. It’s far too inefficient over the long-term to be a serious consideration, yet popular view has connected the *ability* to multitask to the *necessity* of doing so at all times.
Thank you all for great perspective on multitasking and focus. As Karen says- make an effort to be present at what you are doing is helpful.
David, I also agree with your point. I recently went to Destin beach and didn’t have my computer, it was a great break from being connected.
For me, it’s all about CHOICE and being aware. Thanks for your thoughts
Interesting that multitasking can be counter-productive. Yet, the computer feeds into it, e.g., I learned about your blog while reading Twitter and checking on my Outlook file. The tip, try to be present with each activity, even if only for a short time. Spreading ourselves too thin is what seems to be draining. Trying to be good at everything, then nothing seems a symptom of multitasking.
Thanks for opening up this conversation. Great to reflect on.
Karen
Conscious Living Coach
I believe there is power in focus! Tim Ferriss, author of 4-Hour Work Week, has a lot of smart things to say on this topic.
But just about every one I know is addicted to multitasking. Why? What do they feel they get from it? I have a theory: people are seeking distraction. Distraction from a core problem: that something is missing, that they don’t feel fulfilled in life. But you’ll never be able to email, Twitter, Facebook, surf the web, CNN, iPod, multi-task etc yourself to fulfullment.
Hey Barbara,
This is a great post on the multitasking. I have kinda gone even further and feel I have a form of adult ADD…;-)
Thanks again for the great info
JB