Modern society dictates that we must multitask in order to be better at our work.  This has been going for many years now and it has become part of many job descriptions. The term “multitasking” was originally designated for computer systems when engineers was working to create a system that could do multiple actions at once.  This finally happened with the introduction of dual-core processors and later multi-core processors.  The business world naturally thought that humans could do the same.

Do this experiment: Take a pen or pencil in each hand. Using your right hand, compose a poem.  Using your left hand write an article. At the same time.  If you can do it, then you can truly multitask (or should I say, dual-tasking).  If you’re right or left-handed and can’t use the other, then use your dominant hand to compose the poem and use a voice recorder to create the article. Again, at the same time.

Did you have a difficult time?  Probably so.

And yet, we see people engaged on their smart phones, on their computer, watching TV, doing a work assignment, making a call all at the same time.  Or so it seems.  There are tasks where we can truly multitask.  You can walk and talk at the same time.  Walking doesn’t take cognition to function.  Talking does.  When one has to use their thinking skills on multiple things at the same time, it can’t happen.  The brain doesn’t work that way.  According to Borst, Taatgen, and van Rijn (2010), when the brain is engaged in one problem task, in order for it to switch to another, it takes several seconds for this to happen.  That is because what they did has to take that time to store it into the working memory.  This leads to significant decrease in productivity due to the interference of going from one task to another.

Wang and Tchernev (2012) examined college students and discovered that those that were engaged with their smart phone or other device while reading a passage from their studies took longer (21%) to complete the reading versus those that only focused on the reading.  Decreased performance also showed in other aspects of multitasking, such as watching TV while studying.  What they did discover was that multitasking led to a “feel-good” phenomenon.  This may be where part of the myth lies.  People may assume that multitasking is more efficient because it feels better to do it, even though efficiency decreases.  The trade off for decreased cognition is getting one’s emotional needs met via multitasking.

With many other studies showing the same thing regarding multitasking, society still embraces it.  That buzzword is better left for the true multitaskers, computers.  Human cognition doesn’t work like a multi-processor computer.  Success is created through focused concentration, not spread all over the place.  I challenge all human resource professionals, managers, business executives, business owners, schools, parents and so forth to start engaging on what works and shutter away what doesn’t work.  Multitasking does not work!

What does work for increased productivity?

• Get rid of distractions.  That includes multitasking!
• Take regular breaks. When you are under a lot of stress, your cognitive focus tends to shut down and your emotional brain takes over.
• Find enjoyment in what you do.  This will include challenging yourself just enough so you get into a state of FLOW.
• Eat healthy and exercise.  A healthy lifestyle contributes to a more productive one.  Take a midday walk as part of your daily activities.
• Get into learning.  That includes reading, listening to audios, going to seminars and more.  When you read books, skip the parts you already know and get to the stuff you haven’t read before.  And become a speed reader.
• Just say no!  So many people may ask for your help and that takes away from your time.  Unless it’s part of your work, get into the saying no habit.
• Turn off the TV.  Television tends to draw people into it and before long, a lot of time has passed by.
• Set goals, create a plan to reach them and take consistent daily action towards them.
• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is an important key to better thinking and overall health.

Now, get truly productive and healthy at the same time.  And no more multitasking!

‘Nuff said,

Bob
America’s #1 Mind-Body Transformation Expert helping you to become more productive and excellent.

Resources:

Borst, J.P, Taatgen, N.A., and van Rijn, H. (2010) The Problem State: A Cognitive Bottleneck in Multitasking, Journal of Experimental Psychology; Learning, Memory, and Cognition, Vol. 36, No. 2, pages 363–382; American Psychological Association

Wang, Z. and Tchernev, J.M. (2012), The ‘‘Myth’’ of Media Multitasking:
Reciprocal Dynamics of Media Multitasking, Personal Needs, and Gratifications; Journal of Communication 62, pages 493–513 © 2012 International Communication Association