When it comes to multi-tasking, are you a believer or do you side with Mr. Ferriss? Which is more important – trying to cover as much ground as possible or focusing all of your energy, more or less, in one spot?
I look forward to your thoughts because, to be honest, mine are all over the place! I can see both sides and I don’t really lean this way or that way.
Geez, even my thoughts try to mulit-task.
Greg says
December 24, 2008 at 11:05 amHi Joi,
This is a great question, and one I’ve actually been struggling with for the past few months, as it has become more and more obvious that my tendency to multi-task has been killing my productivity.
I had a lot more to say than was probably appropriate for a comment, so my full response is on my blog: http://www.e-motivated.com/
Thanks for making me think 🙂
joi says
December 24, 2008 at 5:11 pmGreg, that’s what I’ve run into before. I recently cut back some (like letting a few websites go) and I find that it’s restored my love for what I do. I don’t feel so frazzled or rushed. I think it was a sanity saver! – Joi
Aalok says
December 25, 2008 at 10:55 pmI completely agree with Ferriss. I have been involved in jobs where multi tasking was critical but then it never produced the kind of results, which can make you say, “Wow.” Or in other words you can’t complete 100 tasks with perfection and effectiveness. However, if one focuses his thoughts only on one task at a time, not only he will save time by completing that task faster but also his energies will ensure that the outcome is to the best of this abilities.
Those of us who have done a little study on the human brain would know that the human mind cannot focus on more then one thing at a time. Therefore, if we are doing the so called multi-tasking, we end up constantly shifting our attention from one task to the other and thereby again starting from the beginning of that particular task at hand (it maybe in seconds, so you may not notice it). If you try and be aware, you will notice how the concentration gets diverted.
E.g. in a normal office day, try and witness that while doing the mundane tasks like juggling between emails and phone might be easy but we would be lost for words if we are doing something creative (lets say framing a speech). Then most people shut down the phone, emails and complete the speech.
Doing one thing at a time will radically improve your effectiveness!
joi says
December 26, 2008 at 9:48 amExcellent stuff, Aalok! That explains why I seem to do so much better and am so much more productive on days when I dedicate myself to one specific task. When I try to spread myself out over too many tasks, I don’t focus as well. Plus, I get so overwhelmed I usually call it a day before I should.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.
Ben says
December 29, 2008 at 12:49 pmI’m split. I think multi-tasking is a discipline for those who can delegate with priority. If done right you can accomplish a lot more but it truly is an art as most people dibble dabble into each element of a task and by day’s end nothing gets done. So is it dead? I don’t think so. I think the new age term for multi-tasking is called efficiency. I also read a great editorial about efficiency in that new motivational magazine called Heavy Hitters Magazine. I would highly recommend checking out issue 8 if you can still find it.
Ben’s last blog post..I DON’T KNOW WHY?
tom says
January 14, 2009 at 12:17 pmFor the longest time I have thought of multitasking as something great, yet i sometimes struggle with it.
I think it was brought to my attention on Tim Ferriss blog before that multi tasking is ineffective or it may have been Jack Canfield.
Either way, the idea here is that just because the industry adds another label for us to have, it does not mean it is good.
The main point is that it takes you at least 10 minutes to refocus yourself into something else, which essentially you are wasting time as opposed to focusing on fewer ideas over longer periods of time.
tom’s last blog post..We, the people form “The One”
joi says
January 15, 2009 at 3:28 pmGreat point, Tom. I find that refocusing my attention clears my head and gets me rejuvenated and motivated. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting down on the floor and playing with one of my cats for 10 minutes – other times, it takes a good hour. They love it when that happens!
tom says
January 15, 2009 at 6:03 pmGood point, this brings up another thought I just had.
Some people can switch off and on very fast.
And as you mentioned, we sometimes do need that break to do whatever to relax and re-energize.
tom’s last blog post..Movie Review: Yes Man