The perils of multitasking
For years, I judged people’s efficiency by their ability to multitask. And I am not alone. Many women I encounter attribute their success (both in their careers and in their lives outside the office) to their multitasking abilities. I’ve also been guilty of accusing others of being inefficient specifically because they cannot multitask (sorry darling.)
Lately, I’m wondering if I had it all wrong. ”Always-on, multitasking work environments are killing productivity, dampening creativity, and making us unhappy,” writes Derek Dean and Caroline Webb in a report for McKinsey Quarterly.
Calling multitasking a “terrible coping mechanism,” the report recommends three ways to manage with this modern-day evil:
1. Focus: Create some alone time and don’t forget to occasionally shut down your email, close your web browsers and let calls go to into your voicemail.
2. Filter: Accept that you cannot be on top of everything and delegate appropriately.
3. Forget: Apparently, our brains need some down time. Go for a walk, do some yoga, spend some time with your loved ones.
And if you needed further evidence on the perils of mutlitasking, get this: it can make you fat.
A recent study in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that eating while you work at your desk is a sure-fire way to pack on the pounds. Where was this study when I first started this habit 15-years ago?
Category: Career Girl
This evening I was doing client work, Coffice work, feeding my 2 daughters and helping my wife navigate a frustrating work situation…mostly at the same time.
Does that count as multi-tasking?
But really, that’s nothing compared to what the women in MY life accomplish. Quite amazing really…
Great piece!
Sam Title
Chief Executive Officer
The Coffice
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Twitter.com/TheCoffice
Ah, domestic multitasking can be tricky. I often find I don’t hear what family members are saying when I am in front of my laptop screen.
The more you multitask, the less you accomplish. Try running and reading a book……….its not different that working on two projects on your computer at the same time…..regardless of what people say, you may think you are doing a lot, but you accomplish nothing…like spinning your tires in a pit of mud
I’ve been tracking what I eat for years and I noticed that if I am at my desk and working that I eat a LOT less then I do if I have to sit down and actually eat at a set time and place and everything. For me I’ll graze if I’m at my desk working which means I might well start my lunch at 1pm but its almost 4 or so when I complete it (if I don’t just end up having it for dinner as well because I never completed it to start with).