We are all pressed for time. So multi-tasking seems like a heaven sent antidote to manage our impossible schedules. But multi-tasking overused may backfire. Here are three myths about multi-tasking that you need to be aware of:
Myth 1: Multi-tasking saves time: The reason we multi-task is to save time. So it may come as a shock that in many cases it does not help but instead makes things worse. The reason? If you factor in the time it takes to retrace steps and fix things that should have been done right the first time round, multi-tasking may seem as a big hog of time. Most complex tasks need our full attention. Such tasks should not be multi-tasked.
Myth 2: Multi-tasking makes you more efficient: Our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions as we get bombarded with an information overload. Our tendency to jump from one thing to the other can quickly make things worse. Rather than making us more efficient we can quickly lose control due to multi-tasking. Modern day life poses complex questions and we must build discipline in our lives to disconnect from all distractions so that we can digest all the information and come up with the right answers. The ability to think deeply is the key to working efficiently and creatively and this happens when the multi-tasking mode is shut off for a sufficiently long time.
Myth 3: The list of things that can safely be multi-tasked is long: Only routine things that require no attention and can be done intermittently can be multi-tasked. Surprisingly the list of such things is much smaller than we think. Listening to music or an audio-book while driving, and checking e-mails while waiting in a queue, may be appropriate occasions to multi-task, but there are exceptions even here. You would want to shut off all distractions if you are driving in a storm or in an unfamiliar area. Or you may not want to answer a complex e-mail while waiting in line while boarding a flight. Some things that we think are routine may in-fact need our full attention. Example of this is eating food. It may not be a good idea to eat absent mindedly while watching TV as this may result in over-eating. This is an important task that needs our full attention so this can be a nourishing and enjoyable experience.
When we move away from excessive multi-tasking, it forces us to prioritize and focus. Rather than being over stimulated and distracted we choose to remain in control. We commit ourselves to think deeply, to apply ourselves to the task at hand, and to do important things with our full attention.
Credits:This has been written by Raj Shah and edited by Ketna Shah.
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