A relatively new word and completely fits in with today’s society. We find it useful that we can do several things at the same time, because we want to do as many things as possible in the shortest possible time. Women seem to be even better at it than men. Yet the question has been raised for some time to what extent it is convenient and efficient.
Get a lot of work done very quickly… or not?
The question of whether and, if so, how efficient multitasking is is becoming increasingly popular and that always puts researchers to work. It then turns out that many men or women have to adjust their ideas about efficiency when multitasking.
Concentration/working memory
What immediately emerges is the concentration required for the individual subjects. This hardly works when it comes to matters where good concentration is a must. Multitasking is therefore more about flat(er) processes that can be carried out routinely to a certain extent. In addition, it may concern primary and intuitive matters.
For example, make a dish that you make on a regular basis, you no longer need the written recipe and you make the dish automatically. Not infrequently your thoughts are somewhere completely different, you are thinking about a problem that still needs to be solved, what color the wall in the room should be or whether the garden should be overhauled or not. With a bit of luck, many men or women also do some washing up in between.
The working memory, which we are talking about here, works through a series of letters and numbers (these come from long-term memory) with good concentration to do what you are focusing on at that moment. As soon as a second or even a third series has to be added, things become difficult. Switching takes a lot of energy and time. On balance, you will be faster if you do these things one after the other rather than at the same time.
Impulses
The driven multitasker is usually a man or woman who is proportionately more driven by impulses than the average person. Impulsiveness is quite inefficient, and the sensation of the moment can also play an important role. It goes without saying that there are always exceptions. However, it has been scientifically proven to be inefficient and is therefore counterproductive in terms of the intended result with multitasking.
The advantages
Like anything, there are always pros and cons and one advantage of multitasking is when you need to keep a clear head on a routine job. The routine nature of a job can even lead to danger, depending on what it is.
A good example is driving in the late evening hours. You routinely drive home due to the small number of cars on the road , but the time of day can also mean that you slowly fall asleep. Especially the multitasker needs more sleep and there is certainly a possibility that things will go wrong at some point. If you can have a conversation in the car or on the phone at such a time (hands-free of course), it ensures that you have to remain clear to have the conversation. In such a case it is useful to multitask.
Another example is a situation where someone is afraid (for example, being afraid of the dark) and this fear can override common sense. By talking to someone, he/she has to concentrate on the conversation, the questions that may be asked, etc. This means that you are still sharp because you are afraid, but the top is taken off by the conversation and you cannot go through with your fear.
Don’t want to multitask (anymore)?
If you decide to let go of multitasking, you will not simply get rid of it if you have done it for a long time. After all, it may have just become second nature. There are a number of things you can pay attention to to let it go. Consider:
- Work with defined time blocks. Time blocks that you divide with the tasks you have every day. If you have to keep up with your email, divide it into two time blocks the day of. You can also do this for the phone calls you still have to make and other recurring matters. Define it and, with the computer in front of you, avoid being tempted. For example, close your email specifically.
- The moment the temptation of something else arises (pouring something, a thought), be alert, take a deep breath and focus again on what you were doing.
- If there is something that requires you to interrupt your work (for example, someone at the door), write down exactly where you left off (certain thoughts/brains about something, etc.) and then do what you need to interrupt your work for. .
- Before you start doing what requires your concentration, it is a good idea to look around the room. Are there things that could be distracting? A fluttering curtain in front of the window, a television that is on or the sound of music from the radio or CD player, etc. in the background, remove the possible distractions and only then get started. A quiet, bright space always helps.
Finally
Everything has its pros and cons and if you are going to multitask, don’t do it to get done faster and don’t do it for things that really need your concentration. On the other hand, learning to concentrate is also an aspect in itself, which you can always use. Use it to your advantage.