Multitasking is that wonderful ability to per form several tasks at once. It’s a key skill in house-hold and life management. There are examples every where—some good, some not so good. Talking on the phone while at the gym. Putting on makeup while driving. While it is an effective technique, like any thing, it can be over done. Here are two types of multitasking and their limitations.

Have Several Projects Going at Once

Devout multitaskers know this technique well; in any busy home or work environment,
it’s an important skill. Basically, it means that instead of having one task that you work on till the end, that you have several in various stages of com pletion. While you’re waiting for some thing to simmer on the stove, for example, you can be rinsing dishes and loading them in the dish washer. While you’re on hold on the phone, you are straightening your work area. While you’re waiting for paint to dry in one area of your house, you might be prepping the next. The list of tasks that can be done simultaneously is end less.

Where this gets tricky is when you have lots of half-completed tasks, and nothing gets completely done. To balance, you need to monitor your self and stop multitasking when you have too many tasks going at once. Try to deter mine what your limit of tasks “in progress” is. Is it three? Two? Is it better for you to only focus on one?

Task Switching

Task switching means working on one task, and, as you lose momentum, moving on to a different task. Simply making a change can be invigorating, and you’ll be able to accomplish more than you would by forcing your self to slog through the first task. At a future time, you can switch back to the first project, coming back to it with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.

The drawback of this technique is similar to the one above—that you end up with lots of half-completed projects. This is especially likely if you have a tendency toward distraction and wandering off before you are finished. The new and novel are generally lots more fun than the job you’re doing now. To balance, switch between only two projects at a time. You can still take advantage of the energy rush of working on some thing different, but you’ll eventually get them both done.

The Downside of Multitasking

There is no question that multitasking can be a very good thing. It can increase your efficiency and help you to take advantage of those spare bits of time that occur during the day. My concern is that it can also keep you from ever being fully present in any situation.

When you’re out walking, you’re also on the phone. When you’re on the phone, you’re cleaning the kitchen. When you’re with your children, you’re cleaning out a drawer. These can be good uses of your time. But you can multitask your way through life with out having really lived. Multitasking is good, but it must be balanced with activities that take your full attention and even with down time when you’re really not accomplishing any thing. Balance will keep this technique in check so it doesn’t become the driving, manic force in your life.

Excerpt from The Well-Ordered Home