Does multitasking actually make you more productive?
We all multitask. How can anyone get done what’s needed without handling a few things at the same time?
For example:
*When I go to the laundromat, my clothes get clean, I listen to music, am always texting and looking at the latest/greatest… People Magazine.
*I am on the phone, my IPad, and watching TV…American Idol runner up,
Adam Lambert was a special guest—how could I miss that?
*I know I shouldn’t text while driving, but being stuck in traffic is making me late, and I need to let them know I’m on my way…besides I did turn down the radio!
Anything here speak to you? Have you done any of these? Maybe you don’t see anything wrong with these scenarios. Outside of skirting the law (a little) the multitasking here makes sense.
At the laundromat…so what if the dry cycle over runs, it’s just clothes. If I miss a text from Jane, I still saw Adam Lambert!
Texting for one minute didn’t cause an accident.
So what’s the big deal?
The main reason these multitasking scenarios weren’t a big deal is:
- The quality of the outcomes didn’t matter. They can be remedied or fixed easily.
- The outcome of the multitasking didn’t really affect others. If it did, it was easy to fix. Customers were not affected.
- And, the multitasking didn’t require a lot of thinking, what was done was automatic or fast and easy.
HOWEVER, when one of your multitask activities has a quality component, affects others (especially customers or others relying upon you), or requires thought and consideration, you better push aside some of these activities and……FOCUS.
Your focused effort delivers the results you and others want and expect. In most of our jobs we are part of a group, team, or ‘chain’ that relies on each other to get ‘stuff done’. When someone lets the group down and that affects job performance of others, we are all disappointed, especially the boss!
Keep these in mind when that focus is needed….
- Find a place to focus. Hide. Put out a ‘do not disturb sign’! Maybe gowhere you are not known, and be invisible.
- Get yourself organized before you ‘hide’ and take all you need tofocus on the issue or project.
- You will be amazed at how focusing often requires less time. Allocatea small amount of time, and stick to it.
Remember, you are running off with what you need, getting away from distractions, and spending that time exclusively on one topic!
Summary….
Most studies done on multitasking, when the results are fully analyzed, show that on ‘important activities’ being focused delivers the optimum results in LESS time! This works in any field or profession. A focused effort will provide to you the details and information requisite for good decision making.
“Focus on the desired outcome, not the obvious or perceived obstacles”. Author unknown
“To create something exceptional, your mind set must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail”, said Giorgio Armani, successful Italian fashion designer.
Russ Bunio
April, 2016
