The only right way to do maximum business in the minimum amount of time is to do everything consistently.
Surely many of you know the parable that the Emperor Julius Caesar could do several things at once. Like it or not, no one can reliably assert. However, his name has become a household name, therefore for many centuries we have associated the tendency to multitasking with the great Roman ruler.
The ability to do several things at the same time seems a very useful and effective skill. At the same first glance, it seems that in this way we can save valuable resources by doing a lot more things in one unit of time. In the end, everything inclines us to the fact that multitasking is the path to productivity, efficiency and saving precious time. But is it really?
Not. 100% is not. And now you will understand why.
Let's start with the concept itself. Multitasking is the ability to simultaneously perform multiple tasks. Obviously, “several” is 2 or more. Therefore, for the simplest consideration of the situation, we take 2. So, 2 cases in one unit of time.
Context:
1. Preparation of a quarterly report (intellectual work) and verification of contracts for payment (intellectual work). Switching from one task to another, alternating, interrupting and resuming the thinking process is guaranteed to reduce efficiency. It is proved that in order to re-maximize focus on the task after the distraction, a person needs about 25 minutes. What kind of efficiency and time saving can we talk about, if switching between tasks, we need almost half an hour to regain the necessary brain pace? Conclusion: multitasking in intellectual activity is not effective.
2. Planting trees (physical labor) and painting the fence (physical labor). Provided long-term occupation of these cases, any person will bring them to automatism. To paint the fence, you do not need to dive into deep intellectual analysis, and the 101st tree, likewise, will no longer cause a stop when determining the sequence of actions. But what if you do 2 of these things at the same time? Rush between seedlings and paint cans? Of course not. Even if you are a pro in both cases, you masterfully repaint the fence, and then plant your planet. Or do it in a different sequence. But not at the same time. Conclusion: multitasking in physical activity is not effective.
3. Preparation of a quarterly report (intellectual work) and tree planting (physical labor). You will surely say - well, this is nonsense! Really it was impossible to come up with a more adequate example?
Can. Let's combine tree planting (physical labor) with listening to an audiobook (intellectual activity).
You calmly “on the machine” plant trees, calmly “between times” listen to the book. And it would seem, everything works. It works, but it does not save you time and does not increase your efficiency.
Acting “on the machine”, you start to provoke minor or even significant errors that lead to numerous stoppers or even stops. Did I water this sapling? And why did I plant conifer in a row with deciduous? Or even better - why did I come to this utility room?
That is, the more interesting and exciting the book, the less focus on mechanical work. And vice versa.
Focusing on solving the above issues, stopping and stopping force you to pull out the headphones, pause the audio, and deal with it in sequence.
Conclusion: multitasking in combining activities is not effective.
Of course, we can say that there is nothing terrible if we digress for a short while from a book or from planting trees. Yes, it is not critical!
But there is no question of saving any time, productivity or efficiency. Multitasking in this understanding significantly loses the single-tasking (one thing in one unit of time). In other words - if you want to complete more tasks in less time, the only correct and working way is to perform them consistently.
And one more small nuance. There is a fairly simple and compelling reason why the popularity and attractiveness of multitasking will never disappear under the weight of logic and facts. This reason is very simple and lies in the field of psychology - when we do several things at the same time, it seems to us (only it seems) that we fill our lives as much as possible and therefore deserve recognition, respect, and even awards.
That is why, an unprepared report and unprepared documents that you dealt with at the same time may not cause you any regret for lunch. And if you also answered calls, checked social networks and e-mail, then this will only underline your “busyness”.
But what's the point of being busy to no avail? If your goal is an effective and fulfilling life, then none.
Therefore, to show you these lines, I first made a report, and then I proceeded to continue the material at lunchtime. And, including thanks to this simple sequence, I can count on your reader’s attention today.
Appreciate yourself and your time, be consistent in your decisions and actions - then you will definitely have much more time.