Multitasking—Don’t do it…
Many of us believe that multitasking improves productivity. But many studies have found that multitasking is counterproductive and often dangerous.
Multitasking is the process of doing more than one task at the same time. Using the cellular phone while driving, composing an e-mail while talking to someone on the phone, snacking while watching television, etc. are example of multitasking.
While some machines like computers are capable of multitasking, humans are not cut out for that. Even in the case of machines, you need more power to perform multitasking. We can increase the processing power of machines by upgrading or changing the hardware. But in the case of humans the processing power cannot be increased to enable smooth and efficient multitasking. So, a computer can scan for viruses while you are creating a document or take the backup while playing a movie or song.
While it is possible to multitask, it is not advisable as there are no gains. It is impossible to do two comparably difficult tasks simultaneously. So while we might be able to listen to music while jogging, it is dangerous to have a cellular phone conversation when you are driving.
When you use the cellular phone while driving, you are diverting your attention and concentration from driving to the conversation and that will dull your senses and slow down your reflexes. This can result in accidents. Similarly, while it is possible to compose an e-mail or write an essay while talking on the phone, the person at the other end would be able to sense your lack of attention and can interpret it as lack of interest or importance. This can ruin the relationship.
If you are multitasking while working, the quality of work will suffer. There will be more mistakes and you will overlook many details that would not have happened if you were doing it with your full attention. The consequences can be serious and will often end in rework. So, you will have to spend more time on it and your capability to do quality work be questioned.
Multitasking can create problems in the relationships with your family and friends. If you don’t give your full attention while listening or talking to your spouse, kids, friends, or relatives, they will think that you don’t care much about them. People who do office work while talking to the kids is indirectly sending the message that work is more important to them. This kind of multitasking at home can alienate your family from you. So, try to spend quality time with your family and friends. If you have work, you can tell them and they will understand; but while with them give them your undivided attention and love.
In the book The Power of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World, the author Christine Louise Hohlbaum highlights the dangers of multitasking and offers ten tips to stop the habit. These include switching off the cellular phone while you want uninterrupted time, turning off the e-mail alerts, throwing away the gadgets that you don’t actually need, etc. You can get more tips on slowing down and enjoying life from her blog—The Power of Slow.
So, stop multitasking. You can become more successful, productive, and efficient without it.
An excellent two-part article titled Doing Less (and Getting More Done) by Amanda Moshier that explains the pros and cons of multitasking can be found here (Part I) and here (Part II).
