Some Thoughts On Multitasking

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:55 pm

Multitasking can take many forms, from driving a car while on a cellphone to switching back and forth between complex tasks. Seems like there are many multitaskers in todays world. I am not one of them. If you talk to me, you have my attention, I am not going to try to listen to you and perform several other functions at the same time. If I am doing the dishes, I complete the task and don't run off to make the bed and feed the dog at the same time. I have always thought of multitasking to be not only dangerous, but inefficient, and now, recent studies have borne this out. OK multitaskers, take me to task. What are your thoughts on multitasking?

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:59 pm

Lon

I like the way you give your undivided attention to others :-6

We could all learn from that

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:11 pm

I second you motion - switching between tasks takes a finite amount of time. Finish one job and then take up then next.

Having said that, many jobs have built in pauses where it make sense to switch.

Forward planning is the key.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:21 pm

Unless like myself, you have Attention Deficit Disorder, that creates constant chaos in my brain, I thrive on the disarray of thoughts and functions ...

I think this is why I like the forum it is soothing to jump around on here, a kind of self medication.

Multitasking is my nature...

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:30 pm

minks;575950 wrote: Unless like myself, you have Attention Deficit Disorder, that creates constant chaos in my brain, I thrive on the disarray of thoughts and functions ...

I think this is why I like the forum it is soothing to jump around on here, a kind of self medication.

Multitasking is my nature...

Exactly! I often feel I *must* do more than one thing at a time, almost like I am 'wired' to be that way. I get hyper and jump from one thing to the next -- whether it be task-oriented or conversation-oriented. I asked my MD if I was possibly ADD or ADHD, but she said I'm not.

However, I *do* like to function with chaos in my brain :rolleyes:

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:31 pm

I am a woman....................so I multi-task. But when you talk to me, I will listen to you.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:35 pm

Multi-tasking is life. If you don't do it, everything will not get done. I do not have the luxury of doing one thing at a time.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:41 pm

chonsigirl;575963 wrote: Multi-tasking is life. If you don't do it, everything will not get done. I do not have the luxury of doing one thing at a time.

^ So very true CG.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:48 pm

Oh, I'm going to use that for the dishes tonight.................................:wah:

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:53 pm

It's a myth that women are better at multi-tasking than men. If they are so good at it why can't they keep up when you are channel hopping on the TV. Most males can follow three or four programmes at once.

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:28 pm

gmc;575978 wrote: It's a myth that women are better at multi-tasking than men. If they are so good at it why can't they keep up when you are channel hopping on the TV. Most males can follow three or four programmes at once.

:wah: :wah: Jim doe's that all the time!

I multi task all the time, if I waited to finish one job, I wouldn't get everything done in a day. For example while cooking the breakfast, I always make the lunches, saves time in the long run

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:27 pm

Lon;575932 wrote: Multitasking can take many forms, from driving a car while on a cellphone

That is a very poor example (because it is dangerous)!

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:31 pm

Bill Sikes;576035 wrote: That is a very poor example (because it is dangerous)!

In the context of Lon's post, that made it the perfect example.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:06 pm

Bill Sikes;576035 wrote: That is a very poor example (because it is dangerous)!

It's not a poor example according to the researchers Bill.

Indian Princess · Post by **Indian Princess** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:20 pm

sssshhhh, dont mention that to my boss, she already has me doing 9 things at once, and now she'll probably have me type with my feet to free up my hands:wah: :wah:

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:50 pm

If I don't multi-task....NOTHING would ever get accomplished!!

On a normal morning, coffee brewing, making lunches and folding laundry and then waking up the kids, and feeding the animals...and get myself out the door within 1 hour and 1/2...

I've never really thought about it much, but after reading this post, I am a MAJOR multi-tasker!!

But if you talk to me, I will look you in the face and mostly the eyes and listen to you with my ears and heart!:-4

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:21 pm

I think it would be safe to say that women multitask more so than men. I think it would also be safe to say that the aftermath of a woman's multitasking leaves clutter and a mess. Cooking breaky, fixing lunch talking on the phone and other assorted tasks ALL AT THE SAME TIME has gotta leave a mess that eventually has to be cleaned up or wallowed in, but granted, the tasks get done. Same can be true in the business enviornment, you can do many tasks at the same time, but do they all get done well? And what is the aftermath?

Tater Tazz · Post by **Tater Tazz** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:36 am

I am a multitasker. Bad habit I guess, I will try not to do it while I am talking to you, so you will have my whole attention.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:23 am

Lon;576199 wrote: I think it would be safe to say that women multitask more so than men. I think it would also be safe to say that the aftermath of a woman's multitasking leaves clutter and a mess. Cooking breaky, fixing lunch talking on the phone and other assorted tasks ALL AT THE SAME TIME has gotta leave a mess that eventually has to be cleaned up or wallowed in, but granted, the tasks get done. Same can be true in the business enviornment, you can do many tasks at the same time, but do they all get done well? And what is the aftermath?

I think that I accomplish it all quiet well. I used to work at a VERY busy builders office as a receptionist. I would have the office phone in one ear, the 2-way radio in the other hand, and looking something up on the computer, and sometimes someone/customer would be standing in front of me waiting on my attention. I felt that I did a very good job, I always got it all done and efficiently at that.

As for home, well I don't feel that things are left in a mess when I get done, it's when THEY begin moving again...3 boys tend to mess up a house pretty quickly!:-4

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:25 am

I do multi task. For years I thought it was a great talent, and I would accomplish great things. Nowdays I see it as a problem, something I cannott control. I do not know how to relax, or to take my time, or to focus in on one project for an extended period of time. This behavior is ok for housework, and tasks that are not crucial. But this modis operandi definately hurt me in business. I can find 99 things to do in order to postpone unpleasant but required tasks.

Tater Tazz · Post by **Tater Tazz** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:01 am

You really do have to multitask at work now a days.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:02 am

Tater Tazz;576467 wrote: You really do have to multitask at work now a days.

I do, I have 3 different chat forums on my brower...:wah:

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:09 pm

The American Psychological Association on Multitasking

http://www.apa.org/releases/multitasking.html

Musiclover89 · Post by **Musiclover89** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:46 pm

I love Multitasking i like to be kept busy

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:24 pm

I find it hard to multi task..even on "simple" things..like maybe watching a TV program and carrying on a conversation with hubby.

Would never even consider it in the car..or where there may be a dangerous situation.