Ok, you’re going to argue with me because you can walk and chew gum…
But your brain cannot do two things at a time. What people call multitasking is really task-switching.
You focus on A for a short period (minutes, seconds) and then switch to task B, then back to A. But you lose focus and time in the switch. (That’s why you need to turn off all notifications on your phone when you are working.)
Multitasking is the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time.
Do one thing at a time. (The most important thing for your key future results first!) Do it well, feel good, and move on to the next thing.
Agree completely Multitasking is sometimes viewed as a badge of honor but you are actually deluding yourself I can only concentrate on one thing at a time Thanks Larry
So strange! I just had this exact conversation with a person because he was perturbed that I didn’t click over to his call when he called and I was on the phone with someone else, in the middle of something else. I explained the law of efficiency to him, very soon he got the point. It makes absolutely no sense to stop what you’re in the middle of doing, just to do something else for someone who thinks their time is more valuable than yours and then have to go back to what you were doing! I never bought into the “call waiting” game. “Task switching’ is a term I will use for the rest of my life! I agree with this one hundred percent.
Thank you Larry! I don’t understand how people don’t realize this. By definition, “multitasking” means that nothing is getting 100% of my focus. “Task switching” is a much better term for it. For someone like me (mid-level residential HVAC management) who HAS TO task switch multiple times a day, any tips on how to handle that better?
100% love it. Absolutely what I needed to hear as a reinforcement today. I’d always called it “Instant Interruptions” when someone expects you to completely stop what you’re doing to address their needs or issues or when things come up that interrupt high value activities. It’s hard to be your best self and focus when juggling tasks. Task Switching is a great phrase. I will for sure be referencing this Think Daily for a long time!
Loved “Multitasking is (just) the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time.”
That’s a keeper!! ?
There is no ‘multitasking’ – it’s a fallacy brought on and perpetuated by folks who don’t realize that it’s actually just segmented degradation of focus and effectiveness; nothing more.
Thanks, Larry – another GREAT post ?