So, it should come as no surprise to me that I have started hearing rumors of a failed philosophy that has ruled a good part of my life, albeit ineffectively. Namely, multitasking doesn’t work.
One molecular biologist even suggests that multitasking actually impairs ones cognitive ability similarly to drunkenness, particularly when the multitasking happens behind the wheel of a vehicle (which is the impetus behind many bans on texting and driving).
That same scientist, John Medina, quoted in an online article by Mark McGuinness called, “Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work,” goes even further in his analysis to claim that multitasking doesn’t even really exist. As McGuinnes summarizes, “So there’s no such thing as multitasking. Just task switching – or at best, background tasking, in which one activity consumes our attention while we’re mindlessly performing another.”
These articles shouldn’t surprise me because the truth of them is evident in my life. I spend most days “simultaneously” listening to the radio, checking email, answering phone calls and drop-by questions from co-workers, while also moving in and out of various software programs running queries, researching discrepancies, and tabulating results. It all appears very busy and productive, but at the end of the day, I often am not even really sure what I accomplished. And, humorously, when I have a really tough problem I’m working on, I turn the radio off so I can “concentrate.”
If my work suffers from too much multitasking, though, how much more my relationships? Our lives are wired for accomplishing stuff. With all of our appliances, electronics, mobile devices, and modes of transportation, we can be getting so much done that we never interact with an actual person. And even when I am with another person, it’s all too easy to try to stay productive by answering texts and email, making online orders, or updating my calendar.
I’ve even found myself multitasking through my time with Jesus lately, with dinner on the table, my Bible on my lap, my iPhone in hand, and the television on in the background.
The opposite of multitasking is not just “single”tasking. It’s not about “doing” anything at all, but about putting all my concentration on one thing. A lot of times, that’s another person. Often, it is a task that requires all of me. Mostly, it’s about being present in the moment. And being present is not just something I do between other tasks; if I can’t stay put for more than five minutes, than I’m still task-switching.
I’m not exactly sure that I can completely eliminate task switching in my life, especially in a job that requires me to perform many different tasks each day. But I can work on being present in other areas of my life.
You might also enjoy this article over on High Calling about how to redeem all of our work distractions: “Hearing Christ at Work.”
Charity, I found this through Marcus and wanted to let you know that I’ll mention it in Friday’s culture post at High Calling Blogs.
Thanks for the good reflection here!
Charity,
This post completely speaks to me. I can see how our culture is really broken in this area, and how the patches we’re trying to apply to things in order to “fix” it are most often just making things worse. I see it affecting my family and how we interact with one another. I see it affecting me. (sigh)
I really hope to read some more of your thoughts and experiences in “single tasking” during this Lenten season.
Will you share?
Charity, it’s been much too long since I’ve dropped by here! It felt like seeing an old friend.
Anyway, John Medina comes out to Laity Lodge. He’s a piece of work. Great guy.
Reading this made me chuckle because your site automatically started playing the audio. I couldn’t not multitask! (At least it was good ambiant music, not distracting.)
As for me, Sunday night I turned off all technology, sat in front of the fire with a glass of wine, and read a book. It was glorious to focus on one thing like that.
Also, there’s a good story about this topic on NPR recently. I heard it on the story of the day podcast.
Hmmmm … This explains why my multitasking isn’t workin’ for me. I’m really just task switching. It can get rather ridiculous. Like this:
Decide to clean toilet. Go to utility closet to get toilet bowl cleaner. See girls’ Girl Scout cookie order forms on kitchen counter. Call girls to kitchen to remind them to call Grandma for cookie order. Dial Grandma for them. Tell her about last night’s snowfall. Forget to take cookie order. Hang up. Check email. Remember that I’d forgotten to hit send on the email about Bible study. Hit send. Remember that the reason I hadn’t hit send is because I’d only partially written the email. … Sigh … Begin to compose explanation email. Have to go to bathroom. Suddenly remember toilet bowl cleaner ….
And ’round and ’round it goes.
🙂