{photo by fancycrave1}
Hyperconnected, we imagine ourselves more efficient, but we are deceived. Multitasking degrades our performance at everything we do, all the while giving us the feeling that we are doing better at everything.
~Sherry Turkle, in Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
There are numerous studies showing that multitasking lowers efficiency and work quality, and that our brains work best when focusing on one thing at a time. (Here's one article about this topic…) But the habit – it often seems like a necessity – of multitasking is undeniably hard to break! And it certainly affects our relationships when conversation becomes just one of several things we are doing all at the same time. This week instead of a mini-challenge, we'd love to hear your thoughts about multitasking.
Do you rely on multitasking to get everything done? Do you notice the effects of your brain being pulled in multiple directions, versus when you can focus on one thing at a time? Are there any small steps you've taken to break the multitasking habit? The above article suggests turning off notifications on your phone as one idea, and scheduling a few times throughout the day to check your email instead of constantly refreshing your inbox.
What do you think? Whether it's work, play, or spending time with people, the task at hand deserves our full attention. Please leave a comment and let's help our brains work they way they are designed to!
