Who do think is better at multitasking? Men or women? Think for a minute...
Think...
Think...
Think...
Think...
Think...
Done?
Whatever your answer is, chances are that you're wrong.
Researchers have shown that our brains (men's as well as women's) cannot multitask. Period. What our brain does, when we 'believe' that we are multitasking, is switching between tasks at an amazing speed. Just like a single core processor in a computer. It cannot multitask. It manages multiple tasks by switching between them. While, it may be efficient for a processor to do it that way, our brain doesn't take too kindly to this.
Researchers at Stanford have shown that doing multiple tasks at the same time actually decreases productivity, because our brain cannot ignore irrelevant information while switching between multiple tasks. You might feel that you're being more productive by 'multitasking', but it's a myth.
There is also switching cost involved during 'multitasking'. Every time the brain moves from one task to the other, it takes extra energy and mental bandwidth to do so - the energy that could have been used to perform the task instead. In addition, there's a residue of the previous task that lingers on for sometime before the brain can completely focus on the new task. It takes four times more time to recognize new things, hence by the time the brain settles down into the new task, lot of energy and time is already lost.
It maybe argued that we are actually multitasking when we drive and talk at the same time, or when we walk and talk at the same time, etc. But in these cases, the act of driving or walking or playing an instrument, is because of our muscle memory. When you first try to play an instrument, you have to concentrate hard on playing it because your brain is using all it's power to play the right notes. You cannot have a meaningful conversation at that time. However, when you learn the instrument, your brain doesn't come into picture when you play - it's all muscle memory. Same is with walking or driving. So, in a way, yes you do multi task when you are doing something along with muscle memory action. But that's about it. That's not the same as 'multitasking' the way this term is normally used.
At work, you are expected to do a lot of tasks and all tasks are important (sigh). You are also expected to 'multitask'. But, now that you know that your brain cannot do it, what do you do? Prioritize! Prioritize and work in such a way that you give substantial amount of time to one task before moving on to the next one. This way, you use your brain's full power for that time and are able to do a better job of the task at hand till you reach a logical break point. You can then decide to start with another task that also needs to be taken care of. That way, you are still 'multitasking' but are being more productive.
So, the next time your boss tells you to multitask - ask him/her to read this article! :)
Think...
Think...
Think...
Think...
Think...
Done?
Whatever your answer is, chances are that you're wrong.
Researchers have shown that our brains (men's as well as women's) cannot multitask. Period. What our brain does, when we 'believe' that we are multitasking, is switching between tasks at an amazing speed. Just like a single core processor in a computer. It cannot multitask. It manages multiple tasks by switching between them. While, it may be efficient for a processor to do it that way, our brain doesn't take too kindly to this.
Researchers at Stanford have shown that doing multiple tasks at the same time actually decreases productivity, because our brain cannot ignore irrelevant information while switching between multiple tasks. You might feel that you're being more productive by 'multitasking', but it's a myth.
There is also switching cost involved during 'multitasking'. Every time the brain moves from one task to the other, it takes extra energy and mental bandwidth to do so - the energy that could have been used to perform the task instead. In addition, there's a residue of the previous task that lingers on for sometime before the brain can completely focus on the new task. It takes four times more time to recognize new things, hence by the time the brain settles down into the new task, lot of energy and time is already lost.
It maybe argued that we are actually multitasking when we drive and talk at the same time, or when we walk and talk at the same time, etc. But in these cases, the act of driving or walking or playing an instrument, is because of our muscle memory. When you first try to play an instrument, you have to concentrate hard on playing it because your brain is using all it's power to play the right notes. You cannot have a meaningful conversation at that time. However, when you learn the instrument, your brain doesn't come into picture when you play - it's all muscle memory. Same is with walking or driving. So, in a way, yes you do multi task when you are doing something along with muscle memory action. But that's about it. That's not the same as 'multitasking' the way this term is normally used.
At work, you are expected to do a lot of tasks and all tasks are important (sigh). You are also expected to 'multitask'. But, now that you know that your brain cannot do it, what do you do? Prioritize! Prioritize and work in such a way that you give substantial amount of time to one task before moving on to the next one. This way, you use your brain's full power for that time and are able to do a better job of the task at hand till you reach a logical break point. You can then decide to start with another task that also needs to be taken care of. That way, you are still 'multitasking' but are being more productive.
So, the next time your boss tells you to multitask - ask him/her to read this article! :)
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