I read an article a few months ago that mentioned the number of messages, or pieces of information we are bombarded with on a daily basis. The author was talking about how difficult it seems to have become to concentrate on any one thing for an extended period of time. Have you found that to be true?
We live in a multi-media age that seems to frame discussions into 'video clips' and 'sound bites'. In our individual lives, we take on a myriad of things to do, and it often seems that a lot of our energy is spent trying to re-focus our attention in order to get to the point where we can address the next pressing priority of the moment. I wonder if that time could have been better spent in actually addressing the issues themselves. In other words, our first problem is getting to the place where we can properly address the problem!
Has the perceived value of "multi-tasking" been over-rated? How many things can you really focus on and do well? What does multi-tasking" mean to you? How have you balanced the various "in-boxes" on your desk?
Please share your thoughts with a COMMENT to this POST.
Jim, I don't believe there is such a thing as "multi-tasking." There is only taking a task and breaking it into tinier and tinier parts, doing one of those parts and then shifting our attention to another tiny part of another task. Ultimately, no person can do two things at once. Anyone who thinks they can is seriously kidding themselves. I think they want to feel like several tasks are kind of moving along all at the same time. I doubt it's more productive but it may provide a temporary source of satisfaction. My nickel on this one, for what it's worth. Have a blessed day! John
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