The Cult of Multitasking
I confess. I’m a multitasker. People rarely at any one time have my complete attention as I’m often checking email, having a conversation, writing a message, answering a text, writing down an idea, all possibly at the same time.
Sometimes I think this is part of the way God has wired me while at other times I realize I’ve been seduced by such words as “quick and efficient.” Sometimes I think I’m addicted to how productive it makes me feel.
In fact, just yesterday I had to send an apology email to a couple co-workers for not giving them my full attention in what I know was a very important meeting to them. I was afraid my lack of focus communicated to them that their time was not as valuable as mine and their ideas weren’t either.
Turns out that not only is it often insensitive, but even if it doesn’t bother the people around you it’s not really the best strategy for effectiveness. I read an interesting article last night on MSNBC entitled “The Cult of Multitasking.” The article said the average employee loses 2.1 hours of productivity every day to interruptions and distractions. Each day a typical office employee checks e-mail 50 times and uses instant messaging 77 times.
It went on to say…
The cult of multitasking would have us believe that compulsive message-checking is the behavior of an always-on, hyper-productive worker. But it’s not. It’s the sign of a distracted employee who misguidedly believes he can do multiple tasks at one time. Science disagrees. People may be able to chew gum and walk at the same time, but they can’t do two or more thinking tasks simultaneously.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that productivity dropped as much as 40 percent when subjects tried to do two or more things at once. The switching exacts other costs, too — mistakes and burnout. One of the study’s authors, David Meyer, asserts bluntly that quality work and multitasking are incompatible.
So it’s confession time. Are you in the cult?
That cuts. I’m in.
.-= Michael´s last blog ..I Hate Taking Out the Garbage =-.
Oh, yeah. I worked in radio for 8 years and had to multitask. Now I can’t stop.
I used to be. Now I live joyfully accomplishing or not accomplishing one thing at a time.
I am seemingly the odd man out here. I can’t multi-task. I used to tell my parents I could listen to music and study at the same time. I lied. Same is still true today. I can’t even pray and ride my bike at the same time.
I cannot multi task, yeah like i try to listen to music and study. doesn’t work. I cannot walk and text… heck i can barely walk and chew gum, I am NO good at multi tasking
Well at least you know.
Yeah, I don’t even know how to be “productive” without multi-tasking.
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..I Am… =-.
Right there with you!
.-= kelli´s last blog ..Your Standards May Be Too Low If… =-.
Ouch. Et tu Brute!
One question…once started, how do we stop this madness!!!
Is there a Multi-Tasking Anonymous support group?
LOL! Thank you!
.-= Dusty Rayburn´s last blog ..Unfaithful =-.
Wait…this is a cult? I thought it was just normal life.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..It’s showtime! =-.
I’ve always found multi-tasking incredibly distracting. I’ve seen people tweet that they are writing a blog post, then they continue to tweet as they are doing it. I just can’t do that. We live in a world of multi-tasking, but there are some things that demand your singular attention at times. You just have to shut everything else off.
.-= katdish´s last blog ..Meeting You Here =-.
Yes, yes, yes. In fact, as I write this I’m on a conference call with work. So bad!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Cooking with The Pioneer Woman: Weekly Update =-.
Shame on you Amy. When you read this blog I want your FULL attention.
That about sums it up for me (knocks back a shot),
Guilty!
.-= Jenni Catron´s last blog ..You Win! =-.
Of course I am in “The Cult of Multitasking.” It is a crazy place to be. I do tech support for a healthcare company. I often find myself texting on my personal cell, reading an email on my work cell, checking twitter, listening to a coworker, working on a technical issue, and drinking coffee – all for 5 to 10 seconds each or 3 or 4 of those at once. Maybe if I spent around 5 minutes at each thing and concentrated, I could be more efficient.
Part of my recent media fast was to end this vicious cycle in me. No, it wasn’t to eliminate media all together; realistically, it’s here to stay. But it was managing me, not me managing it. I have come through the other side being more deliberate about how and when I check my “lines of distraction.” And it’s working. Hmmm…maybe I’ll post something on this. Thanks Pete! ch:
.-= Christopher Hopper´s last blog ..I’m Back =-.
Considering implementing a media fast myself. Not sure what it’s going to look like but I’m praying through it right now. I’m leaning toward one day a week (my sabbath) where I turn it all off.
The real question Pete is if you’ll preset your tweets and preset a blog post for your fast day so no one knows it’s happening. Kind of like Jesus telling the Pharisees to wash their faces when fasting so it wasn’t obvious to everyone else.
.-= adam herod´s last blog ..appropriate response =-.
Charter member.
.-= Darla Baerg´s last blog ..The Princess and the Frog =-.
I was a ridiculous multi-tasker, but now with all the pain and the meds, I really have to focus on one thing at a time or I don’t really absorb anything well. To the point where I turn off the tv even if I’m just typing a reply email. I make all my focus and attention go to the person, even if they aren’t in the room.
I made the switch from multitasking because of medical necessity, but I have to say that I feel so much more connected to the world around me now. And I like that, even if it’s just an email, I’ve given my whole heart to what I’ve done.
Of course, if I COULD multi-task efficiently again, I’m sure it would suck me in again in no time! It’s deceptive that way
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Beauty: Surrendered =-.
yeah, I’m a member, unfortunately I’ve made the mistake of trying to multi-task at home… bad idea.
When the wife is telling you something important… stop watching the game, or typing the email or blog post and focus on her. Yep, I suck at this!
.-= Rob´s last blog ..Sunday Morning Bombs =-.
I can say that I don’t like being on the receiving end of a multi-tasker, but am definitely guilty of it myself. I guess I’m a hypocrite multi-tasker.
.-= B Stone´s last blog ..The Funk =-.
I am not only a member I am the Queen.
My friends joke that I can carry on two conversations at once, type an email, and do my work. In fact, I often listen to a book on CD while I am working. I just thought I had a bit of adult adhd, but maybe I am just like everyone else. I learned the hard way to not do this with my children… eyes forward, cell phone down, and listening to them should be a commandment in the bible…. or at least according to my daughter.
I have a colleague who will talk my ear off and then when it is my turn he starts multi-tasking. Then when I need an answer he gives the vague, “uhuh” and that’s when I realize he wasn’t even listening.
I multi-task at times but being introverted it is not how I am wired. I am a listener. I don’t think our brains were made to focus on more than one thing at a time. I think we lose productivity because we half do everything.
Just my opinion.
.-= David Knapp´s last blog ..Book Giveaway Chris Seay’s The Gospel Of John =-.
I just got off the phone with my sister in law and have to admit I was checking email while she was talking.
I think I’m normally a good listener. And I don’t have a crackberry so I’m not always ‘on’. It drives my husband nuts that my phone isn’t always attached to my hip. I tell him that’s what voice mail is for : )
I have my quiet time in a room with no tv, no phone, and no computer. Otherwise I feel like my focus is less than it needs to be.
.-= joyce´s last blog ..Listen to your mother =-.
I have friends that I can always tell when they’re checking email while talking with me.
I’m afraid I have to admit that I often check email while talking on the phone. I’ve even been guilty of writing a blog post while doing so.
.-= Randy Kinnick´s last blog ..Christ in All Things =-.
I am the king of distractions but titling it multi tasking. I get caught up in doing about 3 things at once but never getting one thing just done. Its a terrible habit.
I seriously cannot just do one thing. When I go to sleep at night I have the radio playing. When I walk the dog I either call someone to talk or listen to music. When I surf the web I listen to music. When I read I also am distracted by twitter and email.
Really for me I use multi tasking as a cover up for the fact that I hate silence and thinking. That is my problem
oh my gosh, YES! totally in the cult. I’m currently on the hunt for a good to-do/task list manager for my computer (MAC). anyone have any suggestions?!
.-= Linnae´s last blog ..Dave Ramsey =-.
Not to encourage your cult activities BUT I was just put onto Evernote yesterday. Web based and iphone app — syncs all your lists with both computer and phone accessibility. So far, love the idea but not sure how it’ll play out for me
.-= kelli´s last blog ..Your Standards May Be Too Low If… =-.
Get behind me satan.
Hardest thing to conquer in any leadership position, ministry or other…
.-= Jay´s last blog ..A Strange Celebration! =-.
So the fact that I’m on vacation, listening to an audio lecture, while answering emails and commenting on your blog might not be a healthy thing?
.-= Maurilio Amorim´s last blog ..The Rise of the Email Bully =-.
Go down to the beach right now!
I can’t multitask. When I am “booking,” or tweeting, or (is that the smoke alarm? I’ll get to it as soon as I finish this) reading and responding to blogs, or checking email, that one thing has my full attention.
I’m definitely guilty! Now its time to get back to working!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Picture of the week =-.
Yep, I’m in! My worst…I can’t just talk on the phone – I need to be on the computer, too,(or driving!) or I get bored with the conversation!!! It’s horrible!!!
.-= bluegoose´s last blog ..It’s me, oh, Lord, standing in the need of prayer! =-.
Right with you. Multi-tasking is a myth. I don’t believe anyone can TRULY multi-task and give each task the priority and focus that task deserves. But what do we do with the culture – cult – that insists that it’s valid?
I cannot multitask, however I can transition from one task to other very well. If on the phone and put on hold then I do quickly jump to another task to avoid wasting time, but then when he caller is back on the line I have to return my focus to the caller, otherwise I am giving neither the caller or the other task the attention either needs ro deserves.
Guilty! I’ll take my confession a step further and say I’ve bragged about my multi-tasking skills way too many times…oh man! I stand corrected.
.-= Jennifer V.´s last blog ..Ileana & B’s Wedding! =-.
I’m in!
.-= diane´s last blog ..Snow Day Again! =-.
As a homschooling mom of 4, with active children in sports, and with all civic activites, I am definitely a multitasker. The difference is knowing when to STOP multitasking and focus on one thing that is important and go back to the muliti things later. This has become necessary for me in order to prevent myself from becoming distracted from whats truely. Love this post- good stuff.
.-= Aundrea´s last blog ..this just……out =-.
truely important
.-= Aundrea´s last blog ..this just……out =-.
I didn’t have time to read the post….but I hope The Cult of Multitasking is half as good as The Cult of Personality was!
For sure. In my job you have too. But I started WAY before that.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..It Started With Letters =-.
I am just wondering where you got the picture of my office.
.-= Marvin´s last blog ..Leadership, Authority, and Respect =-.
uhhmmm i feel like i’ve been punched in the gut.
thank you very much.
from the megamultitasker
I cannot multi task! My boss and my friends can account for me on that. my focus is on what task Im doing at that time and nothing else. This can be advantageous for what im doing or it can be a hazzard for not paying attention to what is going on around me. I take things at a slower pace because It takes a lot of effort to process information due to a head injury.
Just a matter of time before I wreck my car ‘cuz I’m on the phone, gps-ing or texting someone (which I know is against the law). Thanks for the reminder. God has given me SO many warnings yet I still do it. I HAVE to stop doing this or I’ll end up killing someone or be killed.
Put that phone down Bill.
Its been my peeve- people who will say they want to get together with you only to be busy texting, or answering the phone in that time with you…If you really want to talk to someone or spend time with someone, it does good to give your full attention to that Person else why bother. I have wondered what it is that they are trying to say with this non-verbal communication. Does that mean that they are in our debt for our taking time from our busy life. As if only we have a life and they are retired from it.
I cant say I multi-task, unless un)/loading the laundry or folding clothes between cooking counts as multi-tasking. I cant do two tasks that require my brain together, like say emailing while listening to a conversation. Yes, there are conversations I will zone out on but not because I am doing something else. I can have conversations while cooking/doing dishes. So I would say no, I aint good at multi-tasking. I do like music in the background(not jarring) while I study though, it somehow soothes and helps concentration… That is a contradiction.
The cult I am in is The “dont be influenced by all that you see others do, do only what works for you”.
I didn’t know my add could be called multi-tasking! I “TRY” to complete one task at a time and give it my entire focus but I often find myself thinking or doing multiple things at once because of my lack of patience.
.-= Mason Stanley´s last blog ..The Purposeful Burden =-.
Just this morning as I was talking to a coworker, I realized he was no longer listening to me and was reading something on his laptop. He didn’t even notice when I abruptly finished the conversation, and left. It was reat lesson for me on how it feels when I don’t give others my full attention.
oops…great lesson
I have definitely drunk the Kool-aid from this cult but don’t often have enough opportunity to practice the belief. I think because God has wanted for some years to show me NOT to multi-task. Having six children in nine years, I am usually nursing a baby or pregnant and that slows multi-tasking let me tell you! But all the while I hear the Holy Spirit prodding me NOT to multi-task – it’s not even a requirement or goal of His Spirit. I’ve never inquired further thinking it’s just because I’m in baby mode. But, with this blog post, I’m thinking, no, it’s just really not of His Spirit. I mean, Jesus wasn’t pressured to produce multiple fruit, just the Fruit of the Spirit right? And it was quality, not quantity. I think I’ll try thinking more freedom-wise about single-tasking…
I don’t know if you can see this picture without being my facebook friend or whatever, but I have an actual picture of the wall above my desk in my pastor’s study that is similar enough to your graphic there to be really funny. http://www.facebook.com/beccablue42?ref=profile#!/photo.php?pid=710367&id=1279263402
so, um, yeah, guilty.
.-= Becca Clark´s last blog ..That’s me in the spotlight, losing my religion. =-.
Oh wow!
Okay, so here’s another view:
“My parents always tell me I can’t do homework while listening to music, but they don’t understand that it helps me concentrate.”
From the TIME Magazine article, The Multitasking Generation (referring to Gen Y or Millenniums as they are also known.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1174696,00.html
I do multitask, but not at work (when I get work…I’m a supply teacher). In fact, I’m multitasking now..supper is on cooking, watching the TV and checking the blogs!
.-= Shelley´s last blog ..I’m A Failure =-.
without a doubt. i usually tell people it’s my specialty!
.-= ashleynashville3´s last blog ..What’s For Lunch? =-.
I’m in, but I am trying to get out. Maybe someone could hook me up with a de-programmer!
Wow – I am a full-fledged member and I want OUT!
My career of working as an administrative assistant in a busy school superintendent’s office, and prior to that working in a large high school both lend themselves to my title as the “Queen of Multi-tasking.” I could take a phone message, run copies for a teacher, sign a hall pass, motion to the parent at the counter that I would be right there, and basically do this all at the same time for hours on end. Demanding jobs for sure but they sure take a toll on my ability to focus and concentrate on ONE thing!
As a Pastor’s wife these long many years, I’ve had a couple of people tell me I wasn’t “really listening,” when they talked to me. I may have looked like I wasn’t, but I could repeat everything back to them! The deal is as you said Pete, I wasn’t giving them my ATTENTION – therein lies the difference. People deserve better. I get it.
Good Word -Good Word. I love Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God. The “still” doesn’t mean not moving – it means to cease striving – take your hands off…maybe I need to take my hands off this keyboard right now…and take a deep breath!
Thanks Pete! Tell Brandi that “Georgia Jan” says hello!
.-= Georgia Jan´s last blog ..What a Great Book! =-.
Wish I could say yes, but to many task at one time tend to set me back. Marc is a multi-task type person and it drives me crazy (in his defense its a must since he is a full time pastor/bi-vocational worker). Its probably me being selfish or maybe I’m just old fashioned but when I’m talking to you I want your undevided attention! Especially if your my hubby!
.-= DisneyCyndi´s last blog ..What I’m Not Reading! =-.
Guilty as charged.
Stand-by for my two cents. I am a multi-tasker and a great one at that, LOL. When it comes to my family and the rudeness that can come along with multi-tasking in front of friends, I believe it is totally wrong. However, I 100% disagree with this article! Rewind just 15 years and tell me how much more productive the average employee is with the help of information age multi-tasking. We are 10 times more efficient. Now, has inflation caused our wages to be increased by 10 times. No! Corporations and small business just “lay-off” more people because one person can do more. The most challenge that I take away from todays blog, is being able to “turn-off” that multi-tasking swtch when I get home or am with a friend.
Yep … I am in ….
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Charging at Giants =-.
This has become more and more obvious lately. I don’t know when to stop. I can’t even watch a TV show without doing something, anything! I didn’t think this was a problem but recently I’m beginning to think it’s a big problem… Ugh!
the best smoke alarms are the ones that use photoelectric sensors;.;