For a long time, I’ve (proudly) considered myself a highly
effective multi-tasker. However, the
jury is officially out as to whether multi-tasking is even possible, much less
if it actually helps you get more done.
A recent scientific study by the American Psychological Association that
states that whether people toggle between browsing the Web and using other
computer programs, talk on cell phones while driving, pilot jumbo jets or
monitor air traffic, there is a “cost” that comes along with it. At the
surface, this makes sense, and while my husband couldn’t be happier to hear
this as it fits his preferred method of single threading his tasks (I can
physically see him restraining from saying ‘See!’), I am still resistant to the
idea that doing one thing at any given time is ideal. As with most things, I think there is a good
balance and moving too far to either end of the spectrum is not optimal.
Based on all that I have read, there is no true multi-tasking,
but rather task-switching and some of us are better at it than others. Here are a few Dos and Don’ts of
task-switching that I think will help all of us maximize our efficiency without
sacrificing our effectiveness.
DO when you can combine two activities when one of them is a
routine task. This can actually enhance
productivity over doing them separately. For example, taking a walk and taking
care of phone calls can work well. Walking/pacing
is said to increase blood flow to your brain and actually enhance your thinking
power. Cleaning while you work out a
tough problem in your head often will lead to a more creative solution. Many people do the crossword while they eat
breakfast in the morning.
DON’T when you are learning something new. Splitting your mind power when you are trying
to take in new information is not effective.
The truth is your mind can’t actually concentrate on two things at
once. Rather, what we refer to as
multi-tasking is the ability to switch back and forth quickly without losing
much ground in the process of switching.
When working with concepts that you are just learning, giving it some
focus is the fastest and most successful approach. Otherwise, you can find yourself re-reading,
re-listening in perpetuity. This happens
to me a lot when I try to multi-task while reading a new book. I keep re-reading the same paragraph to ‘catch
myself back up’.
DO when you can find tasks that are similar in context. The mind has amazing abilities to process
parallel tasks, as long as they aren’t using the same parts of the brain. For
example, cooking and creating a grocery list are two different tasks, but in a
related head space making them easier to switch between. Of course, if you don’t normally cook or you
are making a recipe for the first time, this may lead to a different result.
DON’T when you are having a conversation with someone. First, it’s rude. Second, there is no chance that you are
engaging fully if you are trying to juggle multiple priorities during a
conversation. That means you are likely
only engaging only while you are doing the talking, and not while someone else
is. It is fairly obvious to everyone
(even on a conference call) when you are playing this game. And nobody is buying it when you say, “you
broke up just then, can you repeat the question” when you realize you are being
called on during the call but have no idea why.
Doing this just a few times will give you a reputation as unreliable or
even disinterested. Remember, when you
are the one leading the conversation, you will want their full attention of the
other attendees.
