I found an article over at Write to Done called “Write Just One Thing Today, and Write It Well”. It really hit home with me, not just with writing but with doing anything.
Here’s the theory: Focusing on one particular thing, minimizes distraction and directs attention, allowing one to pour all of their energy into the completion of a task. All of the non-important stuff fades into the background, stress vanishes, mind is clear, and simplicity arrives.
This is great and all, but is it practical? Especially when juggling several things at once?
Being a ’slash’ & Doing Things Well
I recently wrote an article on living a ’slash’ lifestyle. I am a huge fan on being a ’slash’, but does this keep someone from being productive? Do we compromise our ability to do something well by spreading ourselves out too thin? I think we need to take good look at what the real issue is here. Is time the issue, or is it a lack of focus?
Lack of Time or Not Enough Focus?
It seems as though there isn’t enough time in the day to accomplish what needs to get done.
I have a feeling this is just a result of having a lack of focus.
Let me explain…
When I am focusing on one particular project or task, directing my attention specifically towards its completion, everything else fades away. You’ve probably heard the phrase: “Being In the Zone”.
Multi-Tasking
In today’s day and age, we have become experts at multitasking. You’ve probably seen someone driving down the interstate, talking on their cell, selecting the next track to play on their iPod, and eating Chinese - multi-tasking.
Granted, sometimes multi-tasking is necessary, but do we really need to be hyper conscious of our ‘optimal performance’ 24/7? I don’t think so. In fact, I think it hinders our productivity.
Put Things Off
Nick has written an excellent article over at Put Things Off, where he talks about how the “‘Productivity’ craze is out of control”. I totally agree with him. I think there is too much emphasis in being hyper efficient, and not enough on being effective. There are a lot of really efficient people out there running around in circles, not really accomplishing their goals.
Are you an expert hyper multi-tasker? Do you get more done when you focus on one particular thing or when you hyper multi-task? What is your experience?
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4 Comments, Comment or Ping
Tina Russell
Tina Russell
Feb 27th, 2008
Nick Cernis
My experience suggests that multi-tasking doesn’t work. Yes, you can do a lot of things in a short space of time, but that’s not the same as performing them at once. I think people get the two confused. I’ve even stopped listening to music when I write because I find the silence more conducive to achieving my aims.
Good topic and I completely agree — being overly-conscious of our efficiency only increases stress and lowers output in the long run.
Feb 28th, 2008
Barbara
Very thought provoking. Although some will say they are great multi-taskers, I find when I do multi-task, none of what I’m doing gets my complete attention, thus may not get done as well as it could.
Like Nick, I like to work in complete silence. I can concentrate better, and I get more done, quicker.
As far as lack of time, that’s where setting priorities becomes important.
I think we can miss out on a lot of the joys in life by over multi-tasking. I like to make time to smell the roses.
Feb 28th, 2008
David Lano
@ Nick - I totally agree with your statement: “Yes, you can do a lot of things in a short space of time, but that’s not the same as performing them at once” Well said! It is such a fine line, but such an important distinction.
I really liked your mention of music and writing. I have struggled with this overtime. When I first started writing I loved listening to music, and felt as though it ‘inspired’ me. But lately I have been working in quiet. I am able to concentrate more, and am able to catch more of the subtle and soft-spoken ideas floating around in my mind. Thanks for your thoughts!
@ Barbara - I can totally relate with your experiences in multi-tasking. When I multi-task I feel as though my attention is equally distributed amongst the tasks.
For instance, if I am doing three things, my attention is dispersed 33%/33%/33%. This is of course ‘best case scenario’, more than likely it’s 10%/10%/10% and the other 70% is spent trying to remember what I was trying to do with any given task. Which is really frustrating!
I absolutely loved your last statement: “I think we can miss out on a lot of the joys in life by over multi-tasking. I like to make time to smell the roses”. Ahh, this is so true isn’t it! Thank you for your thoughts!
Mar 3rd, 2008
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