Several studies have confirmed that true multitasking is a myth
Many studies have confirmed that true multitasking is a myth. People who think they can split their attention between multiple tasks simultaneously do not actually get more done, but rather less, feel more tired and perform worse than those who do one task.
Startuptalky has published an article about the concept of multitasking and the pros and cons of multitasking.
What is multitasking?
The site explained that when someone performs more than one task at the same time, or switches between one task to another, this is known as multitasking, as this can be a blessing or a curse depending on various factors, thinking of multitasking as just doing two things. Difficulties at once doesn't tell the whole story, there are 3 forms of multitasking that you should be aware of:
1. Multitasking i.e. attempting to perform two or more tasks simultaneously.
2. Context switching ie switching between tasks.
3. Perform a number of tasks in quick succession.
Just as everything has its pros and cons, so does multitasking, and the site below lists some of them:
Pros of multitasking
Multitasking helps you achieve your goals in a shorter period of time, there are many tasks that each of us has to do on a regular basis, and dedicating a separate hour to daily chores is not a successful method. Therefore, these types of tasks need multitasking.
Not every task a successful person performs generates value or money, many tasks are facilitative or just things one has to do.
Multitasking increases productivity when the same time can be spent on work that generates more revenue or has a measurable impact on the fortunes of a company or individuals.
As there is a high demand for multitasking, a person must clearly focus on each task at hand to accomplish and not just do it but do it correctly, this creates mental focus on the tasks and thus helps in strengthening the mind, as one is trained to switch from task to task, allowing flexibility in focus.
When there is a specific deadline that must be met for multiple projects, multitasking can help finish tasks on time.
There are so many sources of information that reach people every day in a variety of ways, that the daily morning meeting is no longer the only place to get the tasks to be completed. Instant messaging, emails, text messages, and other forms of communication allow anyone to contact someone almost anywhere in the world, creating distraction, so by multitasking it becomes possible to create a healthy structure in a truly chaotic world of information.
Disadvantages of multitasking
Multitasking requires speed, so it is clear that work efficiency naturally decreases, and production increases compared to what is normally required but this can lead to quality problems.
Multitasking is distracting, because when someone tries to focus on more than one task, they get distracted. This type of distraction can become chronic and can affect mental health as well. Simple or individual tasks may not attract enough focus, and one may be drawn to secondary, repetitive tasks that can be finished and done quickly without much mental effort.
Multitasking does not naturally separate tasks, so the priority or important work gets less attention, as it allows the misconception that a person can get the task done anytime and anyway, and this causes procrastination.
Switching from one task to another creates a time gap. The average time it takes for someone to switch tasks is 15 minutes. Our brains work a lot like computers. You have to close one app to open another, or switch between them if both are open. There is no overcoming that is the true.
Multitasking through modern technology has become so prevalent for some that they have lost their interpersonal skills. Multitasking makes a person aloof, even if he is surrounded by others. People have social needs that technology cannot replace. Sometimes, you have to talk to someone in order to get something done the right way, and emails are no substitute for an actual phone call.
From this standpoint, one can say that when multitasking helps you get a job done, at the same time it can impair personal skills and efficiency, as the modern age requires not only doing the work to get it done but also how efficiently it is done, so learn to do things efficiently and never compromise on the quality of your work.
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