Does Multi-tasking guarantee that more things get done?

[Suet Seung]

Do you think multi-tasking guarantee that more things get done?

I certainly think it gets a lot of things started, but does it always get everything done in a timely matter? I'm not so sure.

Please read this very short article: Does Multi-tasking Kill Your Focus and Productivity?

The author of the article above, Alyssa Gregory, claims 4 advantages to multi-tasking:

1) She needs to multi-task because it enables her to get a lot done.
2) Multi-tasking energizes her and keeps her from getting bored.
3) It makes her realize and become aware of her priorities
4) It makes her feel good

Having said that, I should point out that sometimes I avoid multitasking, for example, when I am writing and editing. While I am a multitasker at heart there are times when it’s not productive. And that’s when I go into my sole-focus mode.

Plus, I would have to say that multitasking is probably not efficient and productive for everyone. In fact, I agree that it can be dangerous if you tend to get overly stressed, distracted by having too much going on, and unable to dedicate enough attention to the task at hand to do it successfully.

But, for me, I will continue to multitask and enjoy every second of it.

Are you a multitasker? Do you think it makes you more or less productive?

Do you agree or disagree with her arguement? Why?

[warlock110]

people says it's a skill, but IMO if you can stick to 1 thing and focus, that's a better skill.

[yittz]

Nothing is guaranteed. Certain situations calls for task focusing, others multi-tasking.

Agree on the attention span thing. I multi, cause I can't stay interested in one thing long enough.

[Ren Ying Ying]

people says it's a skill, but IMO if you can stick to 1 thing and focus, that's a better skill.

Yes. "Focusing" is a damn skill...unfortunately, one that I cannot master.

so which is harder to master, "multi-tasking" or "focusing"?

[warlock110]

Yes. "Focusing" is a damn skill...unfortunately, one that I cannot master.

so which is harder to master, "multi-tasking" or "focusing"?

focusing, people self proclaim to multi tasks because they don't have the determination to focus on one thing

[Ghaleon]

Yeah, concentrate and focus is underrated. I find you get more things done when you are concentrating on one thing at a time. We're not operating systems.

[Candide]

Of course not. Women can multi-task (or so they claim) and they never get anything done. Case closed.

[xJadedx]

It depends on the situation. Sometimes it's better to focus on one thing and do that, other times it's better to multi-task.

Also, multi-task does not mean a lack of focus or organization, you just need to focus on and organzie many things at a time.

[yittz]

Yeah I agree. It requires organisation as well as ability to think on one's feet and change the schedule accordingly, and able to focus on the task at hand while mentally prepared to move on to the next action.

[Ken Cheng]

I recommend *not* moisturizing your hands and loading a gun at the same time.

[remember_Cedric]

For the things I'm capable of, certainly multi-tasking saves time and get more things done. For the things that are new to me, multi-tasking is like juggling with ceramic plates.... slightly out-of-focus and one smashes after the other, like....chain-reaction.

Result: Royal screw! or

click to show/hide spoilers

BANG BALLS!!

[ArMaNi_Iz_D_bSt!!!]

I think multi-tasking helps to do a lot of things at once, and it is more progressive.

[NuDaFu]

I think multi-tasking helps to do a lot of things at once, and it is more progressive.

Not if quality is sacrificed for quantity.

More and varied bread out of the oven...all of them burnt. Would you eat them, not me .

[jiang bao]

in most jobs, multitasking ia necessity, not a choice.

[wuxian]

in most jobs, multitasking ia necessity, not a choice.

Multitasking is a skill that if one can master will save them a lot of time.

[NuDaFu]

Realistically, short spurts of multi-tasking interspersed by significant periods of focused 'single-tasking' seems ideal.

There is always choice - just depends on the perspective. I believe in creating one's circumstances rather than allowing circumstances to dictate self.

In the short-term, consistent multi-tasking may save time, but, when it burns you out (which it actually does, physically and neurologically), work performance suffers for it initially, then if it is kept up...CRASH! The entailing effort and time to put oneself 'together again' may cancel out the time saved in the first place. I like to see completeing tasks like a marathon race...only speed up (multi-task when need too), otherwise, conserving energy seems wisest.

[Sourplum]

From an economic/business stand point, mulit-tasking is essential to maximise profits and minimize labour. At my restaurant, the manager on duty always has a limited number of crew on multiple stations/tasks. It's believed that if by training workers to become more specialised at their work, they can multi-task and this saves labour and at the same time increases productivity and sales.

I go see how it can burn someone out when they have to constantly be focused and prepared for the next move, but the well-being of workers isn't the main concern for most employers.

[NuDaFu]

specialised at their work, they can multi-task

I know what one is getting at, but er, the very point of specialising kinda contraindicates the idea of multi-tasking.

To 'specialise' in multi-tasking...hmm...have to think about that one.

What I said previously was meant to be a general application, I did not meant to exclude economics/business. I'm approaching it from a realistic time based perspective.

There are many theories and idealisms, but those don't necessarily translate into practicality. If the well-being of employees weren't some sort of concern - which, as real as it often is, I personally find totally silly - the very possiblity of decreased quality of labour, quitting, time spent to re-train new labour...all this can add up to disruption and needless time expenditure methinks, for said business.

[Sourplum]

I know what one is getting at, but er, the very point of specialising kinda contraindicates the idea of multi-tasking.

To 'specialise' in multi-tasking...hmm...have to think about that one.

What I said previously was meant to be a general application, I did not meant to exclude economics/business. I'm approaching it from a realistic time based perspective.

There are many theories and idealisms, but those don't necessarily translate into practicality. If the well-being of employees weren't some sort of concern - which, as real as it often is, I personally find totally silly - the very possiblity of decreased quality of labour, quitting, time spent to re-train new labour...all this can add up to disruption and needless time expenditure methinks, for said business.

I understand what you're saying and I absolutely agree. I have often found it a problem how some businesses tend to under employ their human resources, leading to greater demand on limited workers to perform at a peak level and complete most tasks efficiently - this potentially leads to workers leaving the job due to stress from the businesses' demands.