The Case Against Multi-Tasking

Community Manager — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:41:00 GMT

When your day planner is full to overflowing and you have more tasks than hours in the day, it's tempting to think multitasking is the answer.

Who doesn't love the idea of simultaneously ticking off as many to-do list items as possible? But when you're next tempted to e-mail and text while in a meeting, or to manage a conference call while you proof a business letter or put the finishing touches on a presentation, keep in mind that multitasking has its drawbacks. Errors, missed information and failure to pick up on subtle cues and subtexts are all too common when juggling too many balls at a time.

Consider also that studies show the brain is less likely to retain information acquired when multitasking. Rather, single-minded focus on one task at a time produces greater memory retention and productivity.

Still not convinced that multitasking has its flaws? Perhaps you think concentrated focus is a natural gift, not a skill that can be cultivated? We like the advice in three recent articles on these topics.

Train Your Brain to Focus: So if multitasking is out and laser-like focus is in, how can a recovering multitasker work to better hone concentration? This article offers three ways to improve focus; just like a muscle, focus will build up and strengthen with diligent practice.

Four Destructive Myths Most Companies Still Live By: Too many work environments reward multitasking, since many workers labor under the misimpression that individuals who can juggle multiple tasks simultaneously are productivity superstars. Take time to educate your colleagues about the real costs of multitasking, armed with the facts in this piece.

Are You Training Yourself to Fail? Productivity expert and author Peter Bregman cops to not being naturally focused. He even goes so far as to say, "Left to my own devices, I rarely end my day with the satisfaction of a plan well executed." But Bregman counteracts his natural lack of focus-not with resolve, which often gets derailed-but with rituals, that is new habits, practiced day in and day out, that eventually take on the force of habit.

Are you a multitasker? Do you think you can change your many-balls-in-the-air ways and learn to focus on one thing at a time? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

Stop the Multitasking Madness

Community Manager — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:03:00 GMT

Hold a conference call.

Juggle Much?

Stop the Madness!

Respond to an email.

Add a contact in Outlook.

Sign an expense voucher.

Text a co-worker.

..... At the same time.

No. You are not an octopus. You are a typical multitasker at work.

Despite the demands of our 24-7-365 culture, the latest research shows that the typical human brain is not wired for multitasking. That is why multitaskers do not perform as well as others on core abilities like memory, task completion and switching from one task to another. Multitasking also has the negative physical effect of prompting the release of stress hormones and adrenaline. So, when we multitask, we are more prone to stress and anger. We are also more easily distracted.

The public has become attuned to the perils of this distractibility courtesy of Oprah Winfrey's No Phone Zone project In an April 24, 2010 New York Times Op-Ed piece, Ms. Winfrey cites the chilling statistic that at least 6,000 people were killed by drivers distracted by cellphones in 2008. She goes on to state: "So many issues that we have to deal with seem beyond our control: natural disasters, child predators, traffic jams. Over the years, I've done shows on just about all of them. But this is a real problem we can do something about and get immediate results. All we have to do is hang up or switch off."

While we are switching off in the car, we should also consider the benefits of curbing our multitasking habit at work. Think about the last time you focused on a single task or project for an extended time. Or, try to remember your last uninterrupted conversation with a co-worker. If you are like many of us, you might not have any recent memories to cull.

That is why we are challenging members of our Beyond Folders Community to stop the multitasking madness. For at least one week, commit to focusing on a single work task, project or conversation for at least one hour each day. Close the door, hang a do not disturb sign or cordon off the cubicle - anything that clearly communicates to your co-workers that you are not to be bothered. We encourage you to keep a log or journal of your activities and note how you feel as you go.

After you complete your one-week challenge, we invite you to share your experience with us here, on our blog or at the Beyond Folders Community's Facebook and Twitter pages.

by Bradley Eggers

Beyond Folders : multi-tasking

The Case Against Multi-Tasking

Stop the Multitasking Madness