Can we really do multitasking?

Hi! I multi-task because I have to and over the years, I guess I'm already used to it. As a work-at-home mom who writes articles for several publications, I do have to schedule my time between my deadlines, house chores and taking care of my family. So it's normal for me to be writing something in the computer while having something cooking on the stove, the washing machine running and every now and then have to see to my kids' needs like guiding them in their homework or answering their questions. I think it's the circumstances you're in that will determine if you HAVE TO multitask or not. Otherwise, if you're someone who has the luxury of time to spare for individual tasks, you are not obliged or have to force yourself to do several things at the same time. I don't believe it's just a matter of being able to concentrate on several tasks all at once. Anyone can multitask if the situation calls for it. Believe me, I know :)

Hi Mimpz! Happy New Year, . I would like to think that I can do two things at the same time, but the reality is I can't, lol. If I do mylotting and then cook at the same time which I normally do at lunch time, the end result will be messy, lol! I will try multitasking in 2009.

Multi tasking, Me , Myth, and i would probably go Mad. I would like to think i'm good at it but it would be my imagination really. I find it easier to concentrate on one task, finish it and then start concentrating on the next one. Having tried concentrating on more than one at a time i find that i do not get the satisfaction or completeness and as you say dissatisfactory. Wish you very Happy New year as well Mimpi.

Hi Mou Hope u must be doing fine well it seems that u r one of species thats called "perfectionist"" and want to concentrate on one thing at a time. Thats good, atleast u might have less error rate. Well, multi tasking is not a myth as i know few people who are really good at it, i do it myself, though i am not that good. But one person, i really admire and appreciate. He was my Maths teacher at school in secondary school. He used to divide White board into by a LINe and start solving 2 questions at time one with right hand and other with left hand Amazing Thanks for 2009 wishes, Wish u same take care

You are right dear. Multitasking is not easy for most people. I find it very difficult to do more than 2 jobs at a time.

I would rather do one task at a time and do it right than do several at once but halfheartedly and not-quite-right. I notice that I tend to focus on one thing at a time. I can't follow what I watch on TV when I'm online. I think some people are great at multitasking but in my case, I believe it's a myth! Happy 2009, Mou!

It is something I have no choice BUT to do if I am ever to keep on top of everything unfortunately. There are many arguments sattaing that multitasking is actually not a good thing to be doing at all, because rather than finishing single things well, we can end up finishing many things in a less than satisfactory manner by not focusing enough on each individual task. Personally I do not believe this to be the case for everyone and it all comes down to balance, dedication and the individual's ability to multitask well. I am fortunate to be someone who seems to handle the responsibilities of multitasking quite well and if I were unable to do so, would be in one heck of a pickle! I donlt exactly find it satisfactory either, but it is a neccesity for me!

I think we can. I also believe we do it in some ways each day. From the childhood I am fond of multitasking. I like to finish many tasks at a time. i do that also. May be not able to do always.

Please let me also confess that I am also very poor in multi-tasking, if I try to do so, I cannot complete either of the tasks, perfectly. Actually, I feel our mind focuses at one job at a time and it is very difficult to simultaneously divert our attention and concentration to more than one task. Many members say here that they can enjoy music, while doing work here on mylot. However,if I do so, I can neither enjoy music nor mylot. I need complete peace and calm to concentrate on one task. I have observed that some persons solve the maths problem, while listening to music or TV, I wonder, how they are able to do so.I feel that it is difficult to concentrate on more than one job, in that case, justice cannot be done with both the jobs, simultaneously. I also sometimes act in the same manner and find that neither of the tasks got completed convincingly. (I could not notice this discussion earlier) How are you? Have a great day! Deepak

Hi Mou, It is simple for me.. 1) Sometimes my wife/ boss pesters with their demands to me that needs immediate attention.. of course i hear... pretend to hear.. and do my regular work that which i was involved at that moment.. and then my mind....makes different calculation on entirely different subject.. on 99 out of 100 times it thinks about the share market..and focused on it. In reality multitasking is an art.. I know one Man, who is running groceries stores for nearly 50 years in my town.. he is an expert.. 1) He could attend the phone call and would quote the price of the articles..and at the same time do the totaling work (add up the cost of the items that could run to pages.. all done in a single stroke..no re-totalling..)of all the products bought by a consumer, and added to this he will grasp what we say..by standing in front. Also we have in Tamilnadu, persons called as ASTHA AVADANI, means that he could have in mind or perform 8 jobs in a time.. I can go on elaborating this.. but then i am sure friend it will be a boring one for you...haha.. Take care..

Hello mimpi1911! I personally do multitasking quite very often. I think that it is just a matter of getting used to it. Moreover, it also depends on the kind of activities you are trying to do at one time. So far, I have not really encountered any problems about multitasking. I still get to do my activities efficiently. Some people do not find it practical but still, I think that it is a matter of getting used to it. Happy New Year!

Hi mimpi dear! Oh well, that is me--a multi task kinda woman! lol..I am super woman who can do 2-3 tasks at the same time! lol..I cook and while I am cooking, I am sweeping and at the same time, filling the containers with water..well, I just open the faucet and let it flow. lol! I am mylotting while I am conversing with a client, a friend or a family member on the phone..and while mylotting I am surfing other sites. lol..No wonder, I am getting inefficient. haha.. Take care and have a great day! lovelots..faith

i can't multi-task very well, but i can mask it and seem like i'm multi-tasking well. an example, i can be "listening" to music, "chatting" on msn and on the phone all at the same time. But in actual fact, i ain't registering the music nor half the time i'm talking nonsense on msn. But it's clear that when it comes to typing and doing reports, i can't concentrate when there is music on and i'm typing or studying. I mean classical is fine. Those without words where i won't try to sing along.

Hi Mimpi! There are some activities that can be done multi-tasking. Like when I cook, I also do mylotting ( ), teaching the twins with their homeworks,y'know stuff like that. I have learned to do that as the years pass by. The difficult tasks, when it is always done at a time,for so long, can be easy to accomplish after a time. Where I work, we always coach the agents to do multi-tasking to reduce their allotted time in handling calls. So while they are telling some things to the customer, they should also be experts in the system we are using to go to the next page. This only shows that we value timeliness. That way, we can provide extremely satisfied customer service experience with the customers. Here's hoping we all welcome the new year with a smile. Thank you for this wonderful discussion!

your post got me into thinking JACK OF ALL TRADES AND MASTER OF NONE.BUT SOMETIMES I HAVE NO CHOICE WITH THE KIDS CRYING ,MILK BOILING ,PHONE RINGING AT THE SAME TIME.

yes, we can with a little practice and compulsion. Managing home and office and kid all at the same time, its more of a compulsion for me to do two or three at the same time otherwise I would always be late for something or the other. Happy new year to you too.

Multitasking is not just a myth it is reality many of us are doing multitasking but never realized sometimes, I am doing tasking in my profession as I am a web designer, a trader, a online worker and also doing some other works in this way professionally I am doing multitask, though it is correct that doing multitasking is not easy and also not satisfactory at all I only feel good rarely about my jobs done as I could not make it perfect at all the reason is multitasking only

Is is hard to multitask .. even if you can, chances are one task will carry more weight than the other. Like as simple as typing while watching TV .. you'll probably be focused on your computer screen that you won't be able to completely follow what's in the TV screen ... no harm trying though =)

hi, mimpi i would like to believe that i am good at multitasking because i do it all the time. i do different things at the same time simply because i have a lot to do each and everyday. but i guess it is just a matter of getting use to it, right? happy new year!

I'm typing this while talking on my cell phone to one person and I Ming another. Am I fooling myself that I can actually do these three things without a loss of quality? No... because I know I can't. I understand that hat most of us call multitasking comes with a steep price tag.