A study at UCLA asked participants to sort index cards with various shapes on them. The researchers divided the participants into two groups:
- Group 1 sorted their cards with no distractions.
- Group 2 sorted their cards while listening to, and counting beeps.
The researchers found that the two groups sorted equally well. However, the first group remembered what they sorted better than the second group.
So, something suffers when we multi-task. Doesn’t common sense tell us the same thing?
So why do we all try to do so many things at once?
There are many reasons – because we think we can, we get distracted, we’re bored, maybe we’re really just procrastinating, or perhaps we think it’s a competitive advantage.
The problem is … it’s not productive, because we want to be effective AND efficient.
Multi-tasking can be costly
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that, even with the simplest of tasks, it takes time to mentally switch from one to the other. It may only take a second for your brain to catch up, which doesn’t sound like much. But how many times do we do this in a day? And that’s for the simplest of tasks – more complex tasks can take up to a minute!
Not to mention that, multi-tasking requires us to FOCUS on concentrating rather than ACTUALLY concentrating. It also boosts stress hormones in our brain. So, in the short run, we get less done. In the long run, it’s bad for us.
So are these studies saying that we should NEVER multi-task?
You’ll be happy to know that you can walk and chew gum at the same time, because you’re performing two tasks that have become automatic. You don’t have to think about it anymore!
Many people may argue that checking their e-mail or text messages has become second nature.
But there’s a bigg difference – there’s a second human being in the equation. For the communication to be effective, you have to understand what they said, and what they left unsaid. Then, and only then, can you convey an effective return message.
In other words, you have to THINK!
3 tips to break the addiction
- Admit that it’s a problem.
If you don’t see it as a problem, you can’t solve it. This is the first step.
- Out of sight, out of mind.
Keep one thing in front of you. Everything else should be filed away. If you don’t see it, you won’t be tempted. Reward yourself with something you enjoy AFTER you complete each task.
- A time for everything, everything in its time
What’s most important right now, based on the future you’ve visualized? Work exclusively on what you NEED to accomplish to reach the top of your stairway to success.
| Tell us what you think about multi-tasking! Share your bigg challenges! Offer your bigg solutions! Leave us a Comment below! |
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Our bigg quote today is actually a definition. No one claims it, perhaps for a reason ….
Screwing up everything simultaneously.
So make sure you stay focused so you only screw up one thing at a time!
Next time, we’ll share an ancient Chinese secret to solve all of your problems. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is! Until then, here’s to your bigg success!
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I’m curious to know more about the browser that Mary-Lynn mentioned in the show. What is it?
Rob, I tell you this cautiously…like I said in the show, this browser makes multi-tasking extremely tempting! It’s FLOCK and you’ll find it at http://www.flock.com. Have fun!