SOme times mutli tasking can cause to make more mistakes and actually
Mulit tasking can at times be less productive if you are constatnly making errors you have to correct
Christine,
I tend to agree with the idea that multitasking may not be a good thing. I can check email while watching TV and it won't really matter if I miss something that happened on TV. If I am focusing on email in a meeting, I am likely to miss something. Some firms have banned smartphones and laptops from meetings and have reported that meetings are now more productive.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Whenever you read many want, large corporations or organizations always seem to put "able to multitask" at the beginning of their job descriptions. Every webinar or seminar I attend, I am told that multitasking is no longer a great idea as it once was. I can multitask on things that are unimportant but I have problems when it comes to working on major projects. I lose concentration and focus not to mention forgetting where I left off. This is another reason why I end up so disorganized and it's frustrating. If you look at my desk, it looks like organized chaos.
Jorge,
Thank you for this thoughtful post.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I think a key point to consider to avoid careless mistakes when multitasking is to maintain a clean and organized work environment.
If your job requires you to consistently switch gears and focus on different projects it is easy to feel overwhelmed and non productive. If from past experience you are able to develop an organizational structure that works for your line of work, you can minimize wasting time by being prepared when you need to switch tasks.
For example if you are in the middle of grading a series of tests, but then group of students come in with questions on yesterdays class, if you are prepared for such scenarios its should not be difficult to go back to what you were originally doing and continue easily from where you left off. If you have all your class outlines organized by date, you can easily access them to answer the students questions quickly and effectively so you can get back to your other unfinished task. Also, if you have dedicated folders for tests that were graded, those that need to be graded and those that are in process of being graded, you can just revert to the 'in process' folder and continue your work.
Also, maintaining a clean work environment, with no clutter, can greatly avoid you losing your mind and making careless mistakes and make you feel more focused and comfortable multitasking.
Multitasking does often lead to errors and decreases efficiency. When it can be avoided, focusing your attention until the task is completed will yield better results.
I can attest to this situation from first-hand experience. Also, I believe that multi-tasking causes a waste of energy and focus as I need to review to get back to a new start point every time I get distracted by the other tasks I am trying to complete.
Suzanne
Hi Nicole,
I agree that everyone is not good at multitasking just like everyone is not good at organization.It is important when working in teams that people work on tasks that are their strengths rather than being criticized for not being who they are not. Wouldn't you agree that this contributes to team harmony?
Wanda
Wanda - what about the other 63% of your brain?
When I have a situation with multiple students in my class, my priority has to be with the person of more importance based upon current gpa. By getting the largest task at hand handled, I can move on to less important matters which can be managed quickly and thoroughly.
Chris,
There is no one that can make that judgement but you. Are you getting things done well when you are multitasking. Personally, I am not a good multitasker. I generally have to do one thing at a time. I make sure those I work for and those I wourk with understand this. I have found that I have to turn off email to stay focued during the day. I check it at regular points.
How does one find out if he or she is a good multi-tasker? I always thought I was, but maybe I'm just easily distracted. How do you tell the difference?
Katie, great point! Both in the class and outside the classroom there are constant interuptions, etc. Which is why I often say why get upset when "things" are in constant change? There are thing we can affect and things we can't. For those we can, for me, its reprioritizing my priorities. That OK. We must embrace and move forward. What seperates the successful folks from the irritated ones is how they embraced and redirected their best planning like you referenced. In todays work/business environment, I believe multitasking is a huge expectation and we need to get better at it.
I find that in my line of education that most of my interruptions can be delt with right away. However, I have had to reschedule a student to an after class meeting and this allows a lot more time to concentrate on his/her concern in a one on one setting.
Jeffrey, As an instructor, we have to be very aware of this factor. Otherwise, we become ineffective due to losing sight of our students needs.
Wanda
Wanda,
It is great that you recognize that others may not function exactly as you do. Many folks have trouble learning that lesson.
Jeffrey, I am a multitasker and have found that I can not expect others to be.I have learned that I need to focus on one item at a time for sequential learners. I had brainmode testing and I was 21% global and 16% sequential which I was told is a good balance.
Wanda
Katie, My preference is to steer students towards the designated office hours before scheduling outside appointments so I can give them my undivided attention. I am juggling doctorate study, teaching part time, and a family. The campus that I work has a culture of students going straight to the Dean rather than scheduling an appointment, since students think professors should take care of everthing now. I have started keeping a log of phone conferences and scheduled meetings with students as proof that I am accessible within a reasonable timeframe.I have been guilty of immediacy of responding to emails to avoid being reported for not being accessible.
Wanda
Good points, Tiana.
Some people are excellent multitaskers, others need to work on one task at a time. One is not better than the other, it is just that individuals have different styles.
What can be a challenge is when a sequential thinker works for a multitasker.
I agree. Sometimes I do catch myself making more mistakes by multi-tasking. I may get into a rhythm that seems like it will be productive. Then after tackling all the many things at once, I find a lot of mistakes and end up starting certain projects over again.
I am learning that multi-tasking is not meant to be used everyday and during certain things. It has taken a while for me to realize this.
