"I'm A Great Multitasker"

Debunking the myth that you can effectively do more than one thing at a time.

Almost everyday, my clients talk about how effective they are at multitasking and how they are getting so much accomplished. Well, I hate to break it to you, but guess what? Multitasking is a lie!

The only thing that multitasking does is give you the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time. You might think I’m being a pessimist, but science backs me up - multitasking is a hoax.

When you try to do two things at once, you can’t do either of them well. The reality is, our brains don’t work that way.  Our brains have channels and where there is channel interference, we aren’t able to process fully and focus effectively on doing either of the tasks we try to “multitask.” These channels are what allow us to walk and chew gum at the same time - because that activity is using different channels, not the same channel. 

Think about this for a minute - you’re on the phone with an important client, who’s outlining what you need to do to win their big project, but at the same time, you’re responding to an urgent email from your boss. Where’s your focus? If you try to do both of these at the same time, you’re going to miss something or make a mistake. You’re going to miss hearing the client say some critical component needed to close the sale, or you’re going to leave out half the information your boss wants from you - you can’t feasibly do both of these tasks at the same time.

Every time you try to multitask, you’re dividing your focus and limiting the outcome of both tasks you are working on. Research indicates that you lose 28% of the average workday to multitasking ineffectiveness. That’s a lot of time and money wasted!

The term “multitasking” originated in the 1960’s as a way to describe how computers - not people - alternately work on multiple tasks sharing one resource, the CPU.  Somehow, over time, the meaning of the word flipped, and it came to mean multiple tasks being done simultaneously by one resource or person! Even today, the fastest, most advanced computers in the world don’t do multiple things at one time - they switch back and forth between tasks at an amazing speed that is not possible for people! We are given the illusion that the computer is doing multiple things at once, but it’s not - it’s task switching.

To put in a different perspective, every day you hear someone talk about the disastrous effects of texting and driving at the same time. Those that do it think they can multitask, but as all the real life examples prove, when you text while driving, the outcome can be catastrophic - you can’t focus on both tasks at the same time.

With the example of texting and driving in the forefront of your mind - why in the world do we think we can multitask effectively at work? Multitasking provides the illusion that we are productive - extra productive! But it’s an illusion.

There is a much better way to harness your energy and be more productive by not attempting to multitask, and it all starts with your calendar. Yes, your calendar. 

This concept is not new, but it’s taken on new meaning and importance in the distracted world we live and work in, and it’s called block timing! The basic concept of block timing is to block out or schedule time on your calendar for work that needs your focus. Make an appointment with yourself. 

I do this every day. Ironically,  I’m writing this column during my block time called “BOF Column.”  This allows me to focus on this task and only this task. Yes, this means my email is closed, my phone is on silent, and I’m 100% focused on writing this column right now. The best part of this process is that I can write this column in half the time it would take if I allowed myself to be distracted with other things. And guess what? Because of this, I can get more work done!

Instead of multitasking, I challenge you to create a time blocking strategy in your job. Stepping into a block timing strategy can be a challenge for a lot of people, so I recommend you start small, then keep adding to it until you have an effective plan that works best for you!

Here are some block timing ideas for you to consider implementing. Remember, start with one or two, then expand them as you become more comfortable with the concept.

• Morning Routine - if you don’t have one of these, you need one!
• Professional Development - you should devote 30 minutes a day to learning and growing - so block this on your calendar
• Breaks or Lunch - we need this, our body needs this, our mind needs this, so plan these in your calendar and get up, leave your office, take a walk, go outside
• To Do List - you can spend all day working on your to do list, but if you planned it for an hour each day, and you focused on it, you’ll be amazed how much you get done
• Checking Email - this is the hardest one for people to do because we have developed this believe that we have to be in our inbox all day to be productive - which is not true!
• Returning Phone Calls - block out an hour or more to do nothing but return the calls you missed. 

The bottom line is you are capable of blocking time and making a plan. Start small, then keep adding to the list until you get a system that works for you!

Focusing on one task at a time and not succumbing to believe you are a great multitasker will have a major impact on you, your productivity, and your career! Take one step today! Be sure to join the conversation and share your thoughts and ideas on the power of block planning and how you are increasing your productivity!  Visit our blogs and let’s keep this conversation going.  www.sidmeadows.com and www.embark-cct.com.