Multitasking Machines, Distracted Drones or Balanced Bees

Many of us are subject to the same questions;  1)To multi-task or not? (Or, more importantly, does true multitasking exist?)  2)  How do I keep focused?  3)What does “work” really mean when someone says, “When it’s time to work, work?”  For fun, let’s explore.

Multitasking: According to Wikipedia, “Human multitasking is the performance by an individual of appearing to handle more than one task at the same time (1)”. (Please note the specified use of the phrase, appearing to handle.)  Not surprisingly, in an article published by Time Magazine, research revealed that people cannot truly multitask and the effort to do so can cause someone to take longer to complete certain tasks and increase their predisposition to make errors (2).

Now that we’ve made it through the technical speak, what does it mean to us?  We know we must focus on a single item in order to truly be the most effective and efficient we can be, but silence lulls us to sleep and our to-do lists are not shrinking.  A short while ago, I posted a blog that addressed trust.  In this instance, trust that you’ll complete what you need to complete and that you’ll do yourself a greater favor by zoning into one thing at a time.  Everything has a moment and a place.  You’ll thank yourself later – when it’s the right moment.

Lesson: Be present in the moment, project, activity, conversation, et cetera, and then purposefully, consciously switch gears.

Staying Focused: It’s natural to become distracted.  Aside from our attention span, we must remember that everything that surrounds us was designed to capture our attention, break through our filters and stimulate or engage us.  Welcome to the experience economy.  From music and pop-up reminders to our favorite mugs, calendars and cell phones, we are surrounded by things that caught our attention and will continue to do so.  You don’t need to stray far from your focal point to have your attention snatched away.  So, what now?  As the common adage goes, “When you can’t beat them, join them.”

Lesson: Know your limits and budget time intervals accordingly.  If you know you can only “dive deep” for 1-2 hours, dive, come up for air and reset for your next dive.  You’ll be more productive in that short, purposeful window and you won’t spend hours 3 and 4 wondering what you’re missing, rather than staying focused on the task at hand.

“Working:” I’m working, aren’t I?  During the industrial revolution, people were machines – almost literally.  Individuals turned a single bolt, sewed a hem, stamped a logo, et cetera.  If the machine moves, you do.   Each mechanical part serves a single purpose and each person serves a single mechanical purpose as well.  Where am I going with this?  In general, times have changed for the majority of us and we are moving from an industrial assembly line model to a contemporary thinking model – we are trusted advisors.  The cogs we spin are in our minds.

Because we are in the business of cognitive thinking and analysis (ROI anyone?), we have to exercise our brains and open our minds.  This means that for as much time as we spend in the numbers world, we must balance it by exposing ourselves to the creative world.  This comes in balancing reporting and budgets with news, problem solving sessions, strategic planning and more.  It means that as much as you look at the details, you must give yourself a moment to step back and look at the big picture.  It means that you may know our industry, but if you do not read the news pertaining to your clients’ industries, you’re missing out on opportunities in the realm of “what you don’t know you don’t know.”

Lesson: Yes, you have a core competency, but that’s not your only competency.  Keep yourself balanced.  Give yourself breaks and realize that “work” comes through exercising and expanding your mind as much as it comes through providing physical evidence in how you filled an hour of your time.

In the end, you’ll juggle tasks, but give each task your attention.  Know your focal limits and work with them rather than against them. Don’t feel guilty for working in today’s economy where thought leadership – applied to any role or task – counts.  And, lastly, work will ebb and flow and when times require 150% of your efforts, give yourself the down time (ex: read blogs) to reset and prepare for the next run.