Multi-tasking is an illogical, irrational concept. And promoting it as something to be better at is doing us more harm than good. Doing more than one thing at a time can not lead to the same outcome as doing each thing on its own within its own time. If we focus on driving, and only driving, with no other distractions, we will drive better. If we have a meeting with someone with no interruptions (or the possibility of being interrupted), the meeting will be more productive and the person we met with will feel more engaged. We might not enjoy such focus. But, the logic (and science) behind this is hardly debatable. So, why do we choose to multi-task? To be more efficient? To cram more into the time and space allotted?
Some forms of multi-tasking are fine. Listening to Bob Dylan while paddling a canoe is okay. One activity doesn’t degrade the other. Some activities are harmonious and symbiotic and seem to work better together. But when focus and attention are necessary to affect a better outcome and any less focus negatively affects that outcome, multi-tasking is not a good idea.
Of course there’s a simple solution…set aside an appropriate amount of time for each item. Yet it’s not so simple because of the time pressures (both put upon us and self inflicted) we live under. So, we cheat. We write the essay while our phone is on. We hold meetings in places where interruptions are likely to occur. And, we take our work with us on vacation.
The key might be to build smaller portals of time for focus. Too often we try to take big slices (thirty minutes or an hour are common) and we end up succumbing to those outside forces. What if we started with five minutes? Surely we can carve out five minutes of uninterrupted time to focus on someone or something. What if we made this a habit? What if we became really good at it? Would five minutes lead to ten? Maybe…maybe not. But, it’s worth a try. Choose five minutes to single task…and stick to it. See what happens.
HT to Beth Fitzgerald (page 177 of her splendid book, The Wake-Up Call)