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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
I put together a blog and video this week on the Illusion of Multi-Tasking.
I have been long obsessed about the idea of getting more done and this includes all sorts of strategies for multi-tasking. However, it's only been recently that I have been realizing more and more the value of simplifying our work and reducing our distractions. What are your thoughts on multi-tasking and how you have embraced or rejected the concept? I welcome your feedback. I also welcome you to disagree with me and discuss (since that's the only real way to learn). http://www.amazingcompanyevents.com/2012......re-done/ |
Magicus Loyal user 281 Posts |
Several years ago I attended a talk by the Futurist, David Zach. He explained that multi-tasking "makes you stupid!" It was an excellent presentation and I had to agree 100%.
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Mystical Matthew Elite user 468 Posts |
I couldn't agree more! Mutli-Tasking slows you down. The human brain is incapable of true multi-tasking. Only rapid single tasking...
I've read multiple studies on this. The conclusions are always the same. Multi-Tasking doesn't work! |
RJE2 Veteran user 383 Posts |
My thoughts are, when my life gets to the point where I become stressed about whether I should single or multi-task, it is time to retire and take up serious drinking as a hobby.
This is in no way a reflection on those of you who choose consciously to multi-task or single task, it is more a statement of my attitude towards life and its expectations. I'm not trying to get more done, or worried about whether I can I be more productive or if I am wasting my time. It doesn't mean that things don't get done. I just try to go through every day at my pace, doing what either needs to be done or I want to do. Appointments, both personal and business do need to be met, but beyond that, life is just too short to get too worked up about it. For me, tasks that work together (multi) are done that way, while tasks that lend themselves to a single focus are done so. Not by conscious choice per se in either situation, but by the circumstances in which they are done. :) |
Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
I don't disagree RJE2. It is precisely this calming down and focusing on both what feels right and what actually produces results (rather than a bunch of nothing) that I feel is valuable.
Saying this, I don't know anything about you and it's hard to put what you say into the proper context. I welcome a PM if you wish to introduce yourself. I am always open to making new connections. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
It has been said 'Multitasking' is a female quality. I believe this to be true or only certain people can do it. I have been on the telephone with a female, talking, she was typing 90 or so words a minute, I could her the keys clicking and the computer was beeping because she was typing faster then the computer could screen could catch up with.
All during this time we were talking about totally different topics, and she did not pause at all in her thoughts, or conversation. So she was physically moving her fingers, entering information from other documents, talking about totally different information then she was reading, and doing it without stopping for the duration of the conversation. Real Multitasking can get you trouble as well, people can feel ignored, or that you are not paying attention to them or their needs. Pulling out your Ipod while at a sales interview would be a mistake. Texting would also be a mistake, unless you were checking on information for the client you are in front of to answer a question. |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Scott, I couldn't open the page.
Some jobs are fine to multitask like washing clothes (in a machine) or cooking in an oven. There is built-in lag time to fill. A timer can help avoid problems. Mostly, I find that if I'm doing two things at once, I'm doing one (or more) of them poorly. This seems to get worse as I get older but the complexity of the tasks has changed during that time so I'm not sure if this is due to age. I do know that subtle forms of thought can suffer from multitasking. That said, sometimes I come up with my best ideas while juggling, mowing the lawn or washing dishes. It can be like a form of meditation. Whether I like it or not, I find I'm forced to multitask. Things get done half-tasked but they get done. -Mary Mowder |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
According to the relevant data, not sure anyone really, truly ‘Multi-Tasks’… maybe a better term might be ‘Micro-Tasking’; a rapid succession of short, incomplete, ineffective, distracted task-doing… according to all of the studies (see writing... not sure what the really official studies are or not...) and conclusions that are being released all over the place again, yet no new insights at all. Not sure why it is being so popularized lately, (again) but it seams to be.
No biggy either way, and a good discussion for sure... Multi-Tasking (according to the reporting over the last 20 years) is not really multitasking at all but rather distracted-short-burst-focus tasking… not very effective if you hope to get much done. …the short version anyway. Just adding to the discussion while ‘micro-tasking’, now on to something else. ~ Dean <><
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Sorry Mary that you couldn't open the page. Perhaps the server was down temporarily.
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amakar Loyal user 235 Posts |
I listed to a podcast by Harvard Business Review that introduced the concept of The Way We're Working Isn't Working which addresses the issue about focus, multi tasking, etc.
Its a good book and I briefly wrote about it for a project management related topic. http://www.tacticalprojectmanagement.com......ity.html The book is a good read! Andy |
ralphdean Loyal user Northern Ca 300 Posts |
One of the big problems with multi tasking is all of the projects are completed later. If you are working on five different things, and you do them in a serial fashion, The first gets finished and passed on, then the second, and so on. If you do part of the first, then do some of the second, then some of the third, then back to the first, all of the projects will finish later except maybe the last project.
A classic example happened to me yesterday at the paint store. They had four paint stirring machines. I ordered nine gallons of paint, another person ordered 5 gallons of paint and a third person ordered 4 gallons of paint. Rather than take the four machines and getting the four gallon order finished, then do the first four galloons of the 5 gallon order followed by the last from his order and start on my order they mixed all three orders at once by dedicating one mixer to each of the smaller orders and two mixers to my order. All three of us left about the same time. This is multi tasking at its worse. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Great topic.
I do think that the idea of multi-tasking is nothing new. It certainly has been around for centuries in various forms. Ever since someone decided they could accomplish things faster by doing 2 things at the same time, multi-tasking as been a way of life for many. We all do it in various formats whether we realize it or not. The world keeps moving faster and technology moves along with it. There tends to be this need to do things at a greater rate and accomplish more and more even though there still is just 24 hours in a day. However, I feel when it comes to running one's magic business, multi-tasking can actually be a hindrance then a help. It is hard to focus on any task at hand and devote full attention to it when the mind is being pulled in 2 directions. Sure you may get things done faster, but is it really better? Is it really giving your all or your best effort? Mulit-tasking can actually be thought of more as a distraction. The basis for success is a combination of goal setting with FOCUSED tasking. A task without a goal is like heading on a journey without having a clue where you're going. Likewise, a goal without a task overwhelms the mind. The success of my marketing is the combination of creating and writing down goals. The goals are both short term and long term and are written with the notion that they can be obtainable. It is important to write these goals down and to define them as best as you can. The more defined they are, the more focuses they become in your mind. Their is power in writing things down. When you write, your brain can not help but to recall and remember things clearer. Once the goals have been written, they need to be posted and displayed so you see them every single day. Force yourself into a habit of looking at them before you start your day. This helps you to always stay the course and to know where your destination is. Now remember I said that a goal without tasks is a lost cause. Goals can be overwhelming to most because they seem so difficult to achieve. Tasks are the stepping stones one employs to reach any goal (whether short or long term). I write down tasks in Evernote as daily tasks, weekly tasks and monthly tasks. These tasks get updated daily. Some get erased as they are done while others get added. The idea is that it is always evolving. However, the importance and power behind this goal and task based system is that I never allow myself to multi-task. I spend my efforts solely on one task at a time and accomplishing that task at hand. By doing so I remain 100% focused. You can think of it as taking one step at a time. If you take those steps, you are sure to 1) not fall down and 2) get to where you are going. So you may think of it as "focus-tasking". Focus tasking is the ability to focus on one task at hand and accomplishing that task with a focused mind and with a goal in your head that the task is aimed at getting you to. Now by having my goals written and my tasks written in Evernote, I can always go back to it every day. I can clearly see what I need to do and I avoid the feeling of being lost. The task list helps me to always move forward. It really is an amazing thing. Many feel mult-tasking gets more done quicker. In essence it does the opposite. The mind accomplishes things much better when it is given a single task to accomplish. It understands better the idea of doing one thing and being able to do it well. Give it a try. I am sure you will see that "Focus-Tasking" will get you much closer to reaching the goals you are really after. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
MickNZ Special user Auckland, New Zealand 576 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-02 10:04, Scott Burton wrote: Can't reply right now, I'm shaving. |
jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
I see a difference between "multi-tasking" - attempting to
do a number of things all at the same time as opposed to "massive action on multiple fronts" - which is working towards multiple goals simultaneously. One is not exactly the same as the other. Accomplishment requires concerted effort and focus. IMO, you can accomplish multiple things... making progress towards clear goals... simultaneously. For instance, IMO it's not multitasking to: - Finish a website - Develop a new routine - Exercise to reach a new strength objective - Focus on eating properly - Learn to play a song on guitar It's taking massive action on multiple fronts. I think that's doable and in fact wise.
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Right on Jack! It would be very unwise to drop everything for one single activity. Even in normal "life", we have multiple roles to play (for me: father, husband, business guy, runner, etc) but paying attention to one role at any one moment is the way to go.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Exactly. One must create goals both long term and short term. These goals can be many and certainly not limited to just one. Likewise, the tasks that one sets forth upon to reach these goals may also be vast. However, to achieve any great success, one is better off "focus-tasking". You concentrate on the one task at hand and focus on doing it well before moving on to the next.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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