I know lots of people who pride themselves on their multi-tasking abilities.
Don’t judge me, but . . . I hear more of this bragging from women than Men.
and . . . I DO believe that most women are better at multi-tasking than most men. Women just seem to be more “wired” to tackle multiple tasks simultaneously (rather than sequentially).
Let’s not make this about gender inequalities 🙂
When folks multi-task (even women), they may very well accomplish several things simultaneously . . . the REAL question is one of accuracy and efficiency.
Can you do multiple things WELL when multi-tasking?
Can you do these without dropping any balls?
Will you finish all of them completely, or will there be dangling fragments?
Time yourself . . . or have a little race with another person . . .
Your job is 2 tasks – stack 10 pennies and link 10 paper clips together.
- Person A is the multi-tasker – Do BOTH at the same time by linking a clip then stacking a penny – then link another clip then stack another penny and so on
- Person B is single-tasking – Link all 10 Paper Clips – THEN stack all 10 pennies
Who wins?
I’ll bet on “Person B” EVERY time.
This post popped into mind as I sit next to 11 files I need to audit from this month’s closings. When I encountered a barrier (Missing signatures on a document) my tendency would lean towards moving on to another file (rather than persisting through the barrier) . . . Next thing I knew, I had partially audited 4 files and completed NONE in a 2 hour period of time.
A quick pep rally for myself brought me into resolute COMMITMENT to COMPLETE a file before TOUCHING the next.
2 hours later, I had FIVE complete files.
hmmmm . . .
so . . . If you just love unfocused frenetic energy, keep on perpetuating your multitasking prowess . . .
Want some inner peace and harmony in your world?
do ONE thing at a time.
Practice this at a very low level (try the paper clips and pennies exercise) and work your way “up”
“Get” this and:
you’ll probably burn less food in the kitchen . . .
your tub won’t overflow as often . . .
you won’t forget the termite letter for your next closing . . .
and you’ll have SHOES on your feet EVERY time you leave your house for work
It’s a magical mystery solver . . . BREATHE and take the time to do one thing at a time.
WHEW!
OK . . . 6 files left to audit . . . 3 more showed up while I was typing this post.
YAWN – STRETCH!