Many people (especially perfectionists) feel like they’re being more productive when they attempt to do multiple tasks at once. This week, Shannon and Janine discuss why the opposite is true.
Discussion topics include:
- The alluring temptation of multitasking
- That most multitasking is not actually multitasking; it’s rapidly switching between single tasks
- Concurrent multitasking: activities that are possible to multitask
- Body doubling and how it can help in organizing
- The perils of driving while listening to podcasts
- Using ScreenTime on the iPhone to limit the distraction of technology
- Practicing being mindful as a way to combat multitasking
- Using a timer to stay focused
- How multitasking lowers your IQ (says a study)
- The truth about multitasking: You think you’re being productive and you aren’t!
Links:
- An article referencing the study about how multitasking lowers your IQ
- A deep dive on mindfulness as a strategy for reducing multitasking
- An interview with organizer Debbie Rosemont on why multitasking makes you less efficient
- Favorite apps to help you focus: Screen Time and Do Not Disturb while Driving on the iPhone; Insight Timer meditation app
I am looking forward to watching Debbie Rosemont’s video. I thought about watching it in between calls, but I am going to wait until I can watch it in its entirety and NOT multi-task while I am doing it.
I just finished my lunch break where I listened to your Multi-tasking episode. Finally! Someone agrees with me that multi-tasking is not a good thing. I always lie in interviews and say that I’m a good multi-tasker because that’s what they want to hear, but in fact I’m just really good at switching from one task to another swiftly.
I can’t even listen to your podcast while I’m doing something as mundane as wiping down the kitchen counters! I need my full attention to do whatever it is that I need to do. That’s when I excel at something: pure laser-focusing helps me attend to things as I need to do them.