What is Multitasking? Dealing with more than one task at any point in time.
Multitasking is term coined and introduced in 1960, to describe
computers performance. People assume
Multitasking is way to get more done in a short span of time, Is it true?
In Multitasking - Actually you are switching from one task
to another, making you feel you are multitasking.
It is a myth or fairy tale…. People think they can also
multitask like computers and
try to do
more of it and they believe , there are
special training/classes provided to
do this.
The truth is – Multitasking is Not Efficient and Not
Effective too.
Our brains are designed not to do Multitasking - It is like
a spot light where it can be focused in one direction in any given time.
Like to introduce to three different term with respect to multitasking.
Attention Residue - Assume you are doing Task A and you are distracted and start doing Task
B. Attention Residue refers to thoughts
/ perceptions of Task A persist even though one has stopped working on task A,
transitioned to Task B and working on task B. Carryover of thoughts from one task to another
is call ‘Attention Residue’
Attentional blindness – It is the failure to notice a fully
visible unexpected object, because the attention was fully engaged on another
task or object or event.
Liminal Moments - Getting distracted when you are switch
between tasks. For example you have back to
back calls, one of your
calls ends 10 mins earlier and
you decide to check
your emails. However, you continue to check emails and
forget to login into the next call. Yes,
we need to mindful / cognizant of these small intervals of time.
Tips would be
- Do not stop or begin something else, until you are completely done with the task on hand.
- Focus on single intense task for a long period to reach the peak of productivity. Your output is cleaner, stronger and far better with no distraction.
Lot of Questions on
Multitasking
1) Is it
possible to multitask?
Multiple studies have proved doing multiple task at the same time is a myth. People think that they can split their attention and multitask, but they are not able to achieve more. Our brains are designed to switch from task to another at extremely fast rate but with a cost of switching time or de-tagging and tagging time. Studies show that multitasking reduces our productivity by 40%. Scientist had proved that our brain struggles to do many thing at the same time.
2) What
are example of multitasking?
Multitasking is a person can handle more than one task at
any point in time.
1) Chewing
gum while walking
2) Driving
and taking a phone call.
3) Cooking
a couple of dishes at the same point of time.
First, is OK.
Second, you are dividing your focused attention on 2
activities. I do not do this…. If you ask anyone who does this, I bet he/she
must missed exits on his/her freeway or turns while driving.
Third cooking is OK, you can get comfortable to do multitasking,
on the dishes you already know. If you want
to try some new recipe, you plan to have undivided attention, so you can focus
and get a better output….
3) How
do I
stop / limit multitasking @ work ?
External Trigger
i. Turn
off the notifications on your phone
ii. Clean
up your work space / desk.
Internal Triggers
i. Feel
Lonely – check messages / Facebook -
Social media
ii. Uncertain - We
Google
iii. Bored
- Check news / stock prices.
2) Block
your time for certain activity
in your calendar - clearing emails , preparing reports , Analyzing data to take some action - I
follow this more diligently
and helps to
complete my task, well before blocked time.
Plan your day, else some else will plan it for you.
3) Make a
to do
List
4) Check social
media and personal emails/Text only at a predefined time.
5) Practice
Mindfulness - meditation
4) Effects
Multitasking
1) Increases
anxiety - as the brain is juggling too many thing at once.
2) Increases
the stress hormone Cortisol
3) In turn,
increase the heart rate and blood pressure - which cause serious health issues
down the line.
Conclusion: In
today’s time crunched world, Multitasking is not a solution for increasing productivity.
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