The Myth of Multitasking: How "Doing It All" Gets Nothing Done

Dave Crenshaw has reaffirmed what (I think) we already knew to begin with; multi-tasking is counter productive. I think the myth that it was a great way to get things done has been debunked ages ago; tell us something we didn't already know.

The premise that multi-tasking---or as Crenshaw mysteriously calls it, "switchtasking"---is an ineffective way of going about one's business is true, as far as I can tell. Myth? What myth? Several other books address the subject, perhaps in a more compelling manner; some of my favorites include Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long, Talk Less, Say More: Three Habits to Influence Others and Make Things Happen, Power of Less, The: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life, The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More with Less, and The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials).

Certainly, Crenshaw tells a nice story, and if it were the only book you'd read on time management issues, you wouldn't be doing yourself a disservice. The message he delivers is clear, and one that we should already know by now; stop kidding yourself. If you want to be more productive, stick to one task at a time. Hopefully, we're all listening now.

The "Myth of Multi-Tasking" is a short read, but a very good one. As a productivity expert, I have been keeping an eye out for a book like this that validates all I know about how BAD it is to multi-task in a professional environment. I have other sources, of course, that speak to and around this topic, but they are not as focused as this book, which outlines exactly what happens when a consultant / coach helps a client suffering from the habit of multi-tasking. The client is unaware of how it affects their progress, peace of mind and their results - not making the connection between cause and affect.

Thank you, Dave, for sharing this story and for all the great exercises in the book which can help professionals, like my clients, understand that multi-tasking is such a lie and how to go about changing it to improve their productivity at work and, ultimately, their lives.

It was an enjoyable and enlightening read but I did not feel the worksheets were very applicable or useful. I do know, now, that not completing one project or part of a project before taking on another or allowing a task-involved interruption is what has been causing my days to be non-productive. For that, I appreciated the book!

I highly recommend the the Myth of Multitasking. Its simple story format makes for an enjoyable read, and for an easy to relate to and apply experience. The cost of "switchtasking" in wasted time is demonstrated well. My book, "The Marriage Meeting Program: 45 Minutes a Week to Guarantee the Long Term Relationship You've Always Wanted," is in tune with Crenshaw's recommendation for recurring meetings. His observations on how multitasking while communicating with another person hurts the relationship is on target, and if it does so with co-workers, how much more so with spouses.

People who criticize this book as too simple are missing the point. Simple is good when the teaching is easy to apply. The exercises for readers at the end are perfect for plane trip or other "background-tasking" possibilities.

The Myth of Multitasking: How "Doing It All" Gets Nothing Done
Time management is a struggle for many professionals and in the past, those that could multi-task were revered and thought to be "super productive." Not so says Dave Crenshaw, and I have to admit I agree! As a recovering Multitask-er (or Switchtasker as he puts it) I was excited to get to this book. Dave shares some fantastic insight in an easy-to-read format. Keep reading for my perspective on this book, key points discussed and valuable resources provided in the book.

My History as a Recovering Multi-Tasker

Before I go into what Dave has to say about Multitasking, I thought it would help to share a personal story. You see, back when I was in college and on into my corporate jobs after, I thought that I was the world's best multi-tasker! I always had a million projects going at the same time and believed that keeping all of the plates spinning at the same speed was the best and most effective way to work. In fact, the more I had on my plate, the more "dedicated" I was to my job. If I had to work 90 hours a week to get all of those things done, then that is what I did and I wanted everyone to know it! (Yes, not very healthy, I know.)

Since then I have done a lot more learning on effective and productive work systems and have learned that I was not accurate in my thinking. You see, multitasking is a myth! No matter how hard I tried, I could not get my brain to think two things at the exact same time.

I'm a "recovering" multi-tasker. I still fall back into bad habits every now and again. Sometimes it is hard to not jump into those habits when others ask about competing priorities; however, deep down, I know that I will not get as much done if I do that.

The Book

I have read numerous (count 100s) of time management books and this one is one of the top. Concepts are not totally new in the book, but the way he shares the information makes the concepts very easy to comprehend and put INTO ACTION.

While the book covers a topic that many dread, Dave has done an outstanding job of storytelling that hits on very important points on successful time/priority management.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book was not written in text-book-how-to-manual style. Instead, Dave tells a story that outlines all of the lessons he taught one executive client and the positive results that came out of the interaction. I opened the book early Monday afternoon and read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. Very entertaining and insightful.

In addition to an engaging writing style, Dave has added some fabulous exercises at the end of the book that will help you evaluate your situation and start making positive changes in a short amount of time. DO THEM!

What It Covers

Interruptions by co-workers and employees throughout the day
Distractions from electronic sources, such as e-mail, voice mail, "Crackberries", and computers
Difficulty focusing on the task at hand
Inability to pay attention to others when they are speaking
The rumor that women are better multitaskers than men
Juggling work and home life at the same time
The important nature of strategic standing meetings
Doing IT ALL Gets Nothing Done

I won't give it away, but this book has a great exercise on how to prove that multi-tasking makes it harder to actually get things done. Do the exercise and you'll see for yourself!

Email, Instant Messaging & Text Messages Oh My!

I've talked about it before. In today's society, it is difficult to get away from all of the electronic gadgets that keep us "on" all of the time. Unplugging, even for a short while, is not readily accepted by our co-workers, clients, friends and family. (But not impossible! I'm actually in a Pittsburgh hotel room as I write this post doing just that!) The false assumption is that the more gadgets we have, the more we can get done. The reality is that the more gadgets we have the more we can get done half-way. Completing projects and tasks is harder than ever for most of my clients.

Interruptions Cost You More Than You Think!

In a way that most of today's workers can relate, Dave illustrates the constant interruptions by our technology and others knocking on our office door. He shows you how to handle those interruptions and how to deal with the distracting electronic communication too! This fairly new story is great for

overworked,
stressed-out,
hectic,
too-busy-to-talk-to-you-or-anyone-else professionals; and
just about the rest of the white-collar labor market

If you are someone that struggles with attention deficit disorder or someone that has difficulty focusing on the task at hand, "The Myth of Multitasking" is a must read.