Comments on: Multitasking doesnt work

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:34:18 +0000

@Piggynap: Yes, the stress aspect is a valid point. The idea of taking some time away from work and away from the computer is a really good one. I would love to have the self discipline to do that on a regular basis, but alas one down side of loving your work is you rarely take enough time away from it.

Another thing… Have you ever experienced the person who flaps around saying “I thrive on pressure (stress?)”, while you stand there thinking “not from where I’m standing, you don’t!”?

By: Piggynap

Piggynap — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:51:44 +0000

It’s really interesting what you mention about Eben Pagan’s study – no-one ever mentions that multitasking could also be called ‘distraction’! Obviously studies can be repeated/have different results etc but it’s still a valid point. I think that some people do multitask well, often because they have to. Others can’t concentrate on a job unless they have total silence. Either way, the more tasks you add into the mix the more stressful the result. Today with email/phones etc constantly demanding attention it’s a more stressful workplace and there’s more to be juggled. Maybe we should all have ‘alone time’ for a couple of hours every day to just get things done!

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:56:42 +0000

@Ching Ya: You are spot on, it all depends what you are doing at the time, how important or involved it is, and to some extent on the individual. As with all these things there is not a “one cap fits all” solution, but getting distracted by constant interuptions and multitasking can sometimes affect productivity without you even noticing, so it’s something to keep in mind.

Thanks for the comment!

By: Ching Ya

Ching Ya — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:10:05 +0000

Indeed, when it comes to important tasks that require much attention, it’s advisable to focus 1 instead of many; however, at times I find multitasking do helps in saving time, when it comes to less significant tasks. It differs from certain people on which grabs the most attention out of them. As long you managed to stay focus on getting the tasks done, it’s cool.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:58:40 +0000

@Lyndi: Regarding women being able to multitask, I was wondering if anyone would mention that. I think the confusion is between a lot of women *liking* to multitask and *being able* to multitask. Just because they like to do it, doesn’t mean they are productive doing it. In terms of effectiveness doing it, I don’t think there is a gender difference.

That’s a good idea you have regarding the notebook. I tend to switch off things like email/IM etc when I need to focus, if I don’t then the quality of what I produce does suffer, and that irritates me.

By: Lyndi

Lyndi — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:50:40 +0000

Women are supposed to be the masters of multi-tasking, I am not sure about this at all. If I am doing something that I really have to concentrate on, I get irritated if I am interrupted by other things.

The small things are fine, I can be reading in Google Reader, be answering mails, writing something short on Twitter, checking stats or visiting a forum, all basically in the same time slot. With things like this I love to hop from the one to the other.

On the other side of the spectrum I do have a problem. When I have to code something or even write a blog post, I immediately move to my Notebook. There I have no Internet connection and I cannot be disturbed. When I have done what I have to do I simply move the stuff across to my desktop for publishing or whatever.