By definition, multitasking is the practice or capability of handling more than one task at the same time. It is one of the qualities that are supposed to make us better leaders since people who are successful multitaskers are often considered leadership potential. This has been my experience. Over the years, I have been on the receiving end of many performance reviews lauding my ability to multitask. I was praised for being capable of handling many things at once with ease. This was the ultimate compliment and I wore it as a badge of honor. And of course, with all the advances in technology, we are all able to hone this “skill” even better. Surely, we can listen to voicemail, while reading email and carrying on a conversation all at the same time. Wow, aren’t we great?
Actually, I have come to realize that multitasking isn’t all it is cracked up to be. In fact, simply put it, is one of the biggest energy zappers out there. Not too mention that it negatively impacts my ability to be fully effective and efficient. I constantly jump in and out of things never really giving any one thing the attention that it is due. How can you do any one thing well when you never give it your full attention? I can’t tell you how many times I have had to re-listen to a voicemail because I was reading email at the same time as listening to my voicemail. Basically, it takes me more time to do both at the same time then it would to focus on each activity separately and with my full attention. I have learned that multitasking is the enemy and I try (very hard) to avoid falling into the trap. I blame multitasking for:
- Complete exhaustion at the end of the day. How could I not exhaust my brain by constantly shifting gears?
- Complete forgetfulness – how can my brain really absorb anything when it is in and out of thoughts and actions in seconds never really focusing on anything?
- No real concentration – I can’t. Concentration takes effort and focus. Don’t have time for that because I need to move to the next thing.
- Attention deficit – there was a time when I felt that I had acquired ADD because I couldn’t stay focused on just one thing and wanted to move on quickly.
- Less than perfect personal interactions. How can I give someone my full attention if I’m talking with him or her on the phone and reading email at the same time? That’s not fair to them. People deserve my full attention at all times.
I know firsthand how hard it is to fight the temptation to multitask. And I can’t say that I have mastered the art. It takes a real focused effort not to multitask. There are days at work when I am going through my morning emails and I reach for my reading stack or pick up the phone. I now consciously have to say to myself “no, finish what you are doing before moving on to the next thing”. I have been trying this approach for the past 6 months and I can honestly say that I have much more energy at the end of the day than I have ever had. I am convinced that multitasking was the main culprit zapping my energy. It has to be. How can I now have more energy without changing anything else in my life? I am also less forgetful and can concentrate better. Don’t believe it? Try it yourself. Try to consciously avoid multitasking for one week and let me know if you have more energy, are more focused and are less forgetful. I’ll be waiting to hear from you………………
Lisa,
I agree and see this all the time in the workplace. We reward tasking versus engagement. In my experience, we push employees to do a zillion “things” and then we are disappointed because they are not engaged in understanding the business. We have forced employees into lack of understanding and then when we promote them into a leadership position, we are dumbfounded that they don’t really understand the business. Its the “just get it done” syndrome.
Thanks for the post.
Thanks for your thoughts Karen, I agree with your comments.