Comments on: I agree with SCIENCE: Multi-tasking is multi-failing http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/ Irreverence Rebellion and interweb marketing. Sometimes with video thingies. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: My Own Businesshttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-13964 My Own Business Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:59:57 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-13964 We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with helpful info to paintings on. You've done an impressive activity and our whole community will likely be grateful to you. We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with helpful info to paintings on. You’ve done an impressive activity and our whole community will likely be grateful to you.

]]> By: Terryhttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-4681 Terry Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:43:16 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-4681 Great post Andy! Multitasking is the devil in a blue dress. With technology that is available to us today, multitasking is something you find yourself doing without even knowing you are doing it. Although it feels good to seem like you are getting a lot done in a short amount of time, it is always done half -assed. Women ( my wife) have a tendency to do many things well simultaneously but like anyone, they can be easily distracted get off course and lose site of their goals. Multitasking will kill your business if you aren't too careful. One thing I learned from being in business offline is that you need to keep your ducks in a row or you will have angry customers calling you day and night and will add to your obligations. It's not any different online. Good scheduling is a plus. Make a list of your daily projects and prioritize your projects and accomplish them one at a time. Great post Andy! Multitasking is the devil in a blue dress. With technology that is available to us today, multitasking is something you find yourself doing without even knowing you are doing it. Although it feels good to seem like you are getting a lot done in a short amount of time, it is always done half -assed. Women ( my wife) have a tendency to do many things well simultaneously but like anyone, they can be easily distracted get off course and lose site of their goals. Multitasking will kill your business if you aren’t too careful. One thing I learned from being in business offline is that you need to keep your ducks in a row or you will have angry customers calling you day and night and will add to your obligations. It’s not any different online. Good scheduling is a plus. Make a list of your daily projects and prioritize your projects and accomplish them one at a time.

]]> By: Business Coach Calabasashttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-4144 Business Coach Calabasas Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:49:03 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-4144 This couldn't be more true. I am an SEO specialist, and from my personal experience--having one project versus five is much more advantageous to not only the client but myself. The reasons its good for me are obvious, less stress--and more dedicated time to a single project. Which pays off the most for the client, better results--due to the fact they are the only ball on the court and not being juggled and thrown in the air simultaneously with four to five other clients. Also--based on my employees performance multi-tasking is bad! This is why I make assignments, and then after they finish; give them new ones. This does require a lot of work and hand-holding on my end, but seems to keep my employees morale up resulting in better faster work. After all--if someone walks into the job with over 20 tasks to do, they feel overwhelmed and almost helpless. So by feeding work to employees slowly your not only benefiting yourself, but your workers AND your clients. This couldn’t be more true.

I am an SEO specialist, and from my personal experience–having one project versus five is much more advantageous to not only the client but myself.

The reasons its good for me are obvious, less stress–and more dedicated time to a single project. Which pays off the most for the client, better results–due to the fact they are the only ball on the court and not being juggled and thrown in the air simultaneously with four to five other clients.

Also–based on my employees performance multi-tasking is bad! This is why I make assignments, and then after they finish; give them new ones. This does require a lot of work and hand-holding on my end, but seems to keep my employees morale up resulting in better faster work.

After all–if someone walks into the job with over 20 tasks to do, they feel overwhelmed and almost helpless. So by feeding work to employees slowly your not only benefiting yourself, but your workers AND your clients.

]]> By: Project Management Coachhttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-3674 Project Management Coach Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:53:04 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-3674 I totally agree with this. In fact I've been thinking and talking about this with people, but I've haven't had enough scientific evidence. Now I have, thanks to Andy and the article in chronicle.com. I see multitasking happening in corporations every day. I've always wondered why it is so God damn difficult for corporations to FOCUS and reduce the number of parallel projects. For example three months ago an American project manager told that he has 5 ongoing projects at the same time. Isn't that ineffective? I speak about focusing in project management, but it takes time for corporations to change. Actually it is good because it keeps me in talking and making money as a consultant :) Anyhow, I'm not perfect neither. I too do multitasking, even though during the years I have learned to focus. Good article, Andy. Thanks for sharing! I totally agree with this. In fact I’ve been thinking and talking about this with people, but I’ve haven’t had enough scientific evidence. Now I have, thanks to Andy and the article in chronicle.com.

I see multitasking happening in corporations every day. I’ve always wondered why it is so God damn difficult for corporations to FOCUS and reduce the number of parallel projects. For example three months ago an American project manager told that he has 5 ongoing projects at the same time. Isn’t that ineffective? I speak about focusing in project management, but it takes time for corporations to change. Actually it is good because it keeps me in talking and making money as a consultant :)

Anyhow, I’m not perfect neither. I too do multitasking, even though during the years I have learned to focus.

Good article, Andy. Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: Gordon Woodhttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-3542 Gordon Wood Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:34:43 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-3542 Andy, I am sorry to be a dissenter but totally disagree that multi tasking is multi failing. It is actually not your post that bothers me. It is all the crap on all these responses from people who agree with you. Am I one of those rare people who efficiently multi task naturally? I think not! And If you know anything at all, you would know it is a function of the human condition to be busy to justify its existences. If we did one thing well and completed it with all the deft efficiency we could muster, the insignificance of that would cause us to implode with a sense of minute engulfment at never achieving anything significant. Or worse if we did realize it as a good deal we would become so bone lazy with only 4 hour week. And just consider all those on hourly rates would starve to death. Or worse still that the rest of us would have to pay even higher taxes for them as good for nothings on welfare. Multi tasking allows us to do all things that add no value and still let us look busy and get paid for it. And then we only have to make the occasional breakthrough with something actually competed so we look to our peers and bosses like we are Stars or Einstein on steroids. And I say hats off to all those who leave us stranded while they go to look up a word on the internet to win an argument and then don’t return for an hour and a half as they multi task to complete all the things they see in their inbox while they are there. And to boot as they add a few more things to the to-do or favorites list to follow up, but never do. And knowledge is power isn’t it? So if you discourage us from being Google eyed so we don’t know everything, what would become of us when we chat to 30 or 40 people a day between tasks? We would have nothing to say and become morons and be of no value at all. By the way they tell me that "focus" is like keeping your eye of ball while you try to see where to kick it. That is one rare occasion where the concept of multi tasking is confusing because we do need to do both well to be sure we don't kick a goal for the other team. And did you ever try patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. Not that useful at all but it can be good for getting attention. And how can you believe someone like Lord Chesterfield who has been dead for 200 years anyway with his old fashions ideas? He was a politician to boot and someone, who actually said, “Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason”. With 89 comments already from complete strangers like me who like what you say, with that sort of undermining you should discredit him as fast as you can. So my view Boss it is that it all about being active and playing the game, not about being effective with single tasking, unless playing footy, working in a circus or running for parliament is in your plans. On a more serious personal note, I see your passion Andy to write is as good as your content. and as inspiring as it has been fun to respond. Loved your launch. Have fun on the program it looks great. I wish I had time, but I am so busy….smiles Cheers Gordon PS. So you know you are not the only one who has opinions on this subject, here is a business post I cobbled up- last year on multi tasking. <a title="www.performancecontroller.com/is-a-ceo-job-to-crank-out-widgets/" href="" rel="nofollow"> www.performancecontroller.com/blog/2009/04/is-a-ceo-job-to-crank-out-widgets/ </a> Enjoy and if you have time to read more please join my list and I will send you updates as I add them! Andy,

I am sorry to be a dissenter but totally disagree that multi tasking is multi failing. It is actually not your post that bothers me. It is all the crap on all these responses from people who agree with you.

Am I one of those rare people who efficiently multi task naturally? I think not! And If you know anything at all, you would know it is a function of the human condition to be busy to justify its existences.

If we did one thing well and completed it with all the deft efficiency we could muster, the insignificance of that would cause us to implode with a sense of minute engulfment at never achieving anything significant. Or worse if we did realize it as a good deal we would become so bone lazy with only 4 hour week.

And just consider all those on hourly rates would starve to death. Or worse still that the rest of us would have to pay even higher taxes for them as good for nothings on welfare.

Multi tasking allows us to do all things that add no value and still let us look busy and get paid for it. And then we only have to make the occasional breakthrough with something actually competed so we look to our peers and bosses like we are Stars or Einstein on steroids.

And I say hats off to all those who leave us stranded while they go to look up a word on the internet to win an argument and then don’t return for an hour and a half as they multi task to complete all the things they see in their inbox while they are there. And to boot as they add a few more things to the to-do or favorites list to follow up, but never do.

And knowledge is power isn’t it? So if you discourage us from being Google eyed so we don’t know everything, what would become of us when we chat to 30 or 40 people a day between tasks? We would have nothing to say and become morons and be of no value at all.

By the way they tell me that “focus” is like keeping your eye of ball while you try to see where to kick it. That is one rare occasion where the concept of multi tasking is confusing because we do need to do both well to be sure we don’t kick a goal for the other team.

And did you ever try patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. Not that useful at all but it can be good for getting attention.

And how can you believe someone like Lord Chesterfield who has been dead for 200 years anyway with his old fashions ideas? He was a politician to boot and someone, who actually said,

“Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason”.

With 89 comments already from complete strangers like me who like what you say, with that sort of undermining you should discredit him as fast as you can.

So my view Boss it is that it all about being active and playing the game, not about being effective with single tasking, unless playing footy, working in a circus or running for parliament is in your plans.

On a more serious personal note, I see your passion Andy to write is as good as your content. and as inspiring as it has been fun to respond.

Loved your launch. Have fun on the program it looks great. I wish I had time, but I am so busy….smiles

Cheers

Gordon

PS. So you know you are not the only one who has opinions on this subject, here is a business post I cobbled up- last year on multi tasking.


http://www.performancecontroller.com/blog/2009/04/is-a-ceo-job-to-crank-out-widgets/

Enjoy and if you have time to read more please join my list and I will send you updates as I add them!

]]> By: Alain Gauthierhttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-3530 Alain Gauthier Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:22:10 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-3530 Multi-Tasking, is not a NEW myth. In one of the many letters he wrote to his son in the 1740s, Lord Chesterfield offered the following advice: “There is time enough for everything in the course of the day, if you do but one thing at once, but there is not time enough in the year, if you will do two things at a time.” To Chesterfield, singular focus was not merely a practical way to structure one’s time: it was a mark of intelligence. “This steady and undissipated attention to one object, is a sure mark of a superior genius; as hurry, bustle, and agitation, are the never-failing symptoms of a weak and frivolous mind.” Multi-Tasking, is not a NEW myth.
In one of the many letters he wrote to his son in the 1740s, Lord Chesterfield offered the following advice: “There is time enough for everything in the course of the day, if you do but one thing at once, but there is not time enough in the year, if you will do two things at a time.” To Chesterfield, singular focus was not merely a practical way to structure one’s time: it was a mark of intelligence. “This steady and undissipated attention to one object, is a sure mark of a superior genius; as hurry, bustle, and agitation, are the never-failing symptoms of a weak and frivolous mind.”

]]> By: RileyWilkeshttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-3518 RileyWilkes Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:52:28 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-3518 Sittin' on the john, readin' eMail printouts. For me, that's multitasking. Sittin’ on the john, readin’ eMail printouts. For me, that’s multitasking.

]]> By: Davene Granthttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-3479 Davene Grant Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:03:22 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-3479 Andy, This is so incredibly true and I have not read the article yet, I am going to when I have some time to focus. I know from real life experience and anyone who is honest with themselves will know this too. Focus is the one think that is lacking in humans on a universal level. In our world of 2010 we are not even comfortable unless we are being barraged with 10 things at once. The TV is blaring, we are making dinner, while check our email and ignoring our kids who are texting and facebooking and not paying attention anyway. All the great ones tell us. Stop, find a quiet place and shut it all off for a while and think of nothing, or something that will advance you toward what you want in life. Studying video boss is a great opportunity to shut the world off for a little while and learn. Thanks so much, Davene Andy,
This is so incredibly true and I have not read the article yet, I am going to when I have some time to focus.

I know from real life experience and anyone who is honest with themselves will know this too.

Focus is the one think that is lacking in humans on a universal level. In our world of 2010 we are not even comfortable unless we are being barraged with 10 things at once. The TV is blaring, we are making dinner, while check our email and ignoring our kids who are texting and facebooking and not paying attention anyway.

All the great ones tell us. Stop, find a quiet place and shut it all off for a while and think of nothing, or something that will advance you toward what you want in life. Studying video boss is a great opportunity to shut the world off for a little while and learn.

Thanks so much,
Davene

]]> By: Laurahttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-3469 Laura Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:51:02 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-3469 You're absolutely right Andy and I couldn't agree more. I find that the busier I get with things I have to do, the more I have to plan blocks of time where I can sit and have quiet. Even better, a silent room with a white board and markers for planning. No music, no email, maybe a cup of coffee or tea. It's the only way to learn, absorb, or (what a concept) listen. Laura www.nokep.org You’re absolutely right Andy and I couldn’t agree more. I find that the busier I get with things I have to do, the more I have to plan blocks of time where I can sit and have quiet. Even better, a silent room with a white board and markers for planning. No music, no email, maybe a cup of coffee or tea. It’s the only way to learn, absorb, or (what a concept) listen.

Laura
http://www.nokep.org

]]> By: John Leewardhttp://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/2010/03/16/i-agree-with-science-multi-tasking-is-multi-failing/#comment-3467 John Leeward Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:45:27 +0000 http://www.andyjenkinsblog.com/?p=611#comment-3467 Hey Andy. Watching your launch and Franks was a great experience. When I got Franks video I saw your strawberry jam fingerprints all over it! That was a totally cool vid. The vid Story Frank did in his so cool (Specifically the slow mow and his gitar riffs) ...the mini Bus and storys puts you into trance where you are relaxed and open for direction. In the story you are not being sold but led to the next action. That was golden I'm stealing it! But I can't steel it because you graced it to me thank you! Also so cool was how you guys worked Like a Bank Robber Gang came from all sides and blind sided every one with all your lists...( Durango Jeff Walker) chimed in and all you guys completely used all lists and worked as a team. I hope everyone realized this and can do the same with their similar products that complement when they launch. Share your lists !!!! Work as a team this is a great example of mutiplying your list and everybody wins. This was classic!! I'm going to guess over 10 mill... For Franks launch alone. Very cool this week all launches was a module in it's self. I hope people get that! I have been introduced to all you guys through Tony the big guy and have a product of my own over 20 years in the film industry I invented a linear motion Camera platform and going to use everything you guys have spit out. And I can see how I can help myself, friends, and Family to to take full advantage of simple stuff Like google ad words. You have made a difference in the manner I will do business now and in the future! Thanks to the all of you.. I GANG MEMBERS!!! John Leeward www.gocamerasupport.tv Miami Fl. Hey Andy.
Watching your launch and Franks was a great experience. When I got Franks video I saw your strawberry jam fingerprints all over it! That was a totally cool vid. The vid Story Frank did in his so cool (Specifically the slow mow and his gitar riffs) …the mini Bus and storys puts you into trance where you are relaxed and open for direction. In the story you are not being sold but led to the next action. That was golden I’m stealing it! But I can’t steel it because you graced it to me thank you!

Also so cool was how you guys worked Like a Bank Robber Gang came from all sides and blind sided every one with all your lists…( Durango Jeff Walker) chimed in and all you guys completely used all lists and worked as a team. I hope everyone realized this and can do the same with their similar products that complement when they launch. Share your lists !!!! Work as a team this is a great example of mutiplying your list and everybody wins. This was classic!! I’m going to guess over 10 mill… For Franks launch alone. Very cool this week all launches was a module in it’s self. I hope people get that! I have been introduced to all you guys through Tony the big guy and have a product of my own over 20 years in the film industry I invented a linear motion Camera platform and going to use everything you guys have spit out. And I can see how I can help myself, friends, and Family to to take full advantage of simple stuff Like google ad words.

You have made a difference in the manner I will do business now and in the future!

Thanks to the all of you.. I GANG MEMBERS!!!

John Leeward http://www.gocamerasupport.tv Miami Fl.

]]>