Slow Down! Multitasking Reduces Efficiency
Like many moms, I am the queen of multitasking. Most of my attempts at accomplishing a few things at once involve doing something – anything – while also listening to my kids.
I drive the car while managing their fights in the backseat; I answer emails while helping them with their homework; I cook dinner while listening to their stories. During dinner, as much as I try to teach them to take turns speaking, I often find myself listening to the two of them talking at the same time.
At work, I constantly move back and forth between open applications on my computer because it always seems like my computer is too slow. I tackle a large project at work while periodically checking my email. I talk on the phone while typing.
Most of the time, I seem to manage all of this just fine. But once in a while, especially when two people are talking to me at the same time, I feel that my brain is going to explode and that I just can’t handle it anymore. It is too much.
Not surprisingly, research shows that the human brain is not really meant to do more than one thing at a time. Switching between tasks takes significant amounts of time, several tenths of a second - which can add up when people switch back and forth repeatedly between tasks. Thus, multitasking may seem more efficient on the surface, but may actually take more time in the end.
This is not necessarily bad news. Leo of Zen Habits suggests that in order to achieve a more peaceful existence, we should do one thing at a time. In other words, single-task, don’t multi-task. “When you’re pouring water, just pour water. When you’re eating, just eat. When you’re bathing, just bathe. Don’t try to knock off a few tasks while eating or bathing.”
The temptation to jump back and forth between different activities is huge. The information overload that characterizes modern life has addictive properties. At times, it seems almost impossible to relax and slow down. In fact, as I am writing this post, I am very guilty of periodically checking my inbox for new emails. As with everything, I should probably set small, realistic goals for myself.
My own first goal would be to sit down with my kids every day when they get back from school and just listen to them, focusing on what they have to say, without attempting to get anything else done at the same time. Unpacking of lunchboxes and washing dishes can be accomplished after I spend at least half an hour, uninterrupted, listening to my kids.
Photo by fatboyke
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Pinyo responds:
Posted: March 29th, 2008 at 9:14 am →
Multitasking is definitely a big problem for me and I frequently have to force myself to focus on a single task. Good information.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: March 30th, 2008 at 5:39 pm →
Once you get used to multitasking, it’s very hard to go back. But just like you, I am trying. It’s helpful to remind ourselves that it doesn’t really save us any time.
Computer Addict responds:
Posted: March 30th, 2008 at 9:00 pm →
Wish I had read this before trying to read a map while biking this weekend…and I have the multiple scrapes to show for it
Ann responds:
Posted: April 7th, 2008 at 12:18 pm →
I find myself getting annoyed at my husband for NOT being able to multi-task; when he’s on Dad duty, that’s basically all he does. Sometimes I manage to admire him . . . but I’m ashamed to admit that I’m more often irritated!
NBOTW Needs No Introduction | Blogging Without A Blog responds:
Posted: June 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 pm →
[…] calls herself the “Queen of Multitasking”, but in her post titled: “Multitasking Reduces Efficiency” she admits she’s trying to change her ways. She writes: My own first goal would be to sit […]