Why Multitasking is a Bad Idea

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Why multitasking is a bad idea

Many people advocate developing the art of multitasking, on the mistaken belief that that performing multiple tasks will multiply their personal effectiveness.

Multitasking sounds like a good idea, but it's wrong.

It is wrong, because it fails to consider the fact that, the conscious mind can only focus on one thing at a time.

You can prove this to yourself. Try writing a letter, whilst simultaneously reciting a nursery rhyme. You won't be able to do it.

If you try both, you'll do neither.

Think of a magnifying glass that is being used to concentrate light onto a single point. At the focus point, the concentrated heat can do a lot of work.

Now remove the lens from the magnifying glass, and change it for plain glass (a non-lens). Now the glass spreads its energy; but at no point is it of sufficient intensity to get any work done.

You can either use your mind as a lens, capable of focusing your forces, and thus creating a high degree of mind power.

Or you could use your mind as a non-lens, dissipate your thought-forces and become incapable of any useful work.

This is the negative consequence of multitasking.

So, we can say that multitasking is a bad idea.

Prioritisation

Instead of multitasking, we recommend that you prioritise your tasks, do them one-at-a time, with 100% of your mental focus.

Then you will make more progress, in less time.

We have created a fantastic free app that will enable you to prioritise your tasks: WhatsNext? Prioritisation App.

Why not give it a try and discover the best way to organise your time?

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Further Reading in Time Management

• Time management skills - Stop being so busy
  How to stop being so busy More is not necessarily better. There is a tendency in the minds of many people to think that time management is about getting more done per day. They think in terms of how they can get themselves to work longer and harder. But the truth...
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• Time management - Productive power
  Time Management - Productive Power How to get more done in the same amount of time You are judged on your productive power Your "Productive Power" is defined as "a measure of the amount of productive work you can do in a unit of time". Your productive power is a ratio...
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• How to be More Efficient and Effective.
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• Time-Saving Tips
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• Five Time Management Training Principles
  If you want to achieve more progress in less time and effort, you need to apply these time management principles.
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