Attention Men & Women: Is Multitasking a Detriment to Our Productivity?

<h1>Attention Men & Women: Is Multitasking a Detriment to Our Productivity?</h1>

by Carol Dickson-Carr

<div align=justify>That's an interesting question, and the answer you receive will 
more than likely be different depending on whom you ask. In my 
not-so-humble opinion, my answer is, "It depends." 
 
A copout answer? I don't think so. Here's why: 
 
If studies are correct in implying that women are naturally 
gifted in multitasking because our corpus callosum (the part of 
the brain that is the "mediator" of sorts, between the left and 
right hemispheres) is wider than our male counterparts, why 
wouldn't women want to capitalize on that gift? On the other 
hand, there's the 2001 study published in the Journal of 
Experimental Psychology (Rubinstein, Meyers, & Evans) that 
examines the limitations and time costs of multitasking- 
particularly when switching between more complex tasks. 
 
Let's take driving as a practical example. While I doubt anyone 
would argue the fact that it's not a good idea to try and 
manipulate a cell phone while driving, one wonders where we draw 
the line. Is it the conversation that's distracting the driver, 
or is it that both hands need to be on the wheel, or some 
combination? What about conversations between driver and 
passenger (so long as they're amicable and do not produce 
stress)? Or the radio? Or listening to audio books and courses? 
After all, I heard Brian Tracy say to make your car a university 
on wheels! I took that advice to heart in the mid-90s! 
 
If you're driving somewhere habitually (e.g., to and from work), 
then your unconscious competence kicks in, which could arguably 
enable you, for example, to have that pleasant conversation with 
your passenger or (if you have a headset piece on) a pleasant 
cell phone conversation. And the radio can be quite benign, says 
the girl who never drives in silence, regardless of where she's 
going! 
 
So while multitasking might not be for everyone, I would argue 
that it can be beneficial to some when at least one task taps 
into your unconscious competence (i.e., anything that doesn't 
take much conscious thought to do successfully-like breathing!) and 
does not conflict with another cognitive process. I believe the 
odds of successfully accomplishing two simultaneous activities 
can increase without a decrease in productivity in either task if 
you have a whole brain orientation, rather than one hemisphere 
being more dominant than the other. 
 
For example, you could combine doing housework, a physical 
activity that is more than likely ingrained (unconscious 
competence strikes again!), while learning from audio lessons on 
your iPod or CD player-a mental activity. I've successfully 
ironed, folded laundry, washed dishes, and gardened, all while 
learning tons from various and sundry MP3 classes I've put on my 
iPod. A friend of mine just told me his day went by really fast 
as he painted his new fence (something he'd rather not do) while 
enjoying Paul Simon's latest. 
 
I've even learned about entity structuring and asset protection 
while illustrating the children's book I wrote and was engaged in 
both activities with no problems. I believe it was because there 
was not a cognitive conflict involved. 
 
But you might run into problems with multitasking if you're 
trying to carry on a conversation with someone while checking 
your email, for example. You're using the same cognition with 
these two tasks, and as a result, neither task gets the full 
attention it deserves. And the person you're talking to face to 
face (or even on the phone) may feel a bit put off. 
 
Some argue that you should start with one task and keep 
working on it until you've finished it. That may be natural for 
many, but what about those who thrive best by "flitting" between 
tasks, even if it's sometimes a purely psychological benefit? 
Barbara Sher describes these types of people as "scanners." 
 
In college, when we studied for our exams-especially during 
finals week--many of us cyclically spent fixed amounts of time on 
each subject to avoid driving ourselves crazy. And I'll be the 
first to admit that instrumental music (jazz or classical) was on 
while I was studying. My mind would wander in total silence, 
otherwise. In fact, I'm listening to contemporary jazz as I write 
this article! Listening to music with words I'm familiar with, 
however, would pose a problem for me because I would want to sing 
along. 
 
I'm certainly not arguing against the power of focus, though. 
Heavens no! The power of focus is responsible for all sorts of 
wonderful outcomes. We're often in the flow, have clarity, and 
lose track of time when the power of focus is doing its job. When 
I'm really engaged in a wonderfully insightful book, and 
especially when I'm composing and producing my song ideas, I'm 
100% present in that process, and no one had better disturb me 
while I'm in the throes of that creative outlet! 
 
Then again, notable psychologist, B.F. Skinner believed that many 
people miss great opportunities when they adhere to finishing a 
preconceived plan when something unexpectedly interesting comes 
up. He believed that you should pursue that "something 
unexpectedly interesting" to see where it takes you in the name 
of accidental creativity. 
 
Alexander Fleming did it when he discovered penicillin from mold, 
of all things, that formed when he exposed deadly bacteria he was 
studying to air. I've had many bouts of accidental creativity 
when I played an unintended chord or musical interval that 
sounded cooler than what my mind's ear originally heard. 
 
I've often said that no "one size fits all" strategy exists in 
our approach to getting things done. What works for some people 
may not work for others. So I encourage you to consider 
circumstances, intuition, and discernment as criteria to evaluate 
when deciding whether myopia or multitasking is the best route 
for you. 
 
Copyright (c) 2006</div>

Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/self_improvement/time_management/article-44405.html">ArticlePros.com</a>
 
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		About the author
		For your blended learning pleasure Carol Dickson-Carr has created 
a free 30 minute audio that goes into depth on how to increase your 
productivity. Visit http://managingpersonalresources.com for 
details! Carol makes money using her creativity and helps others 
do the same. She is co-author of "A Guide to Getting It: Purpose & 
Passion" and creator of an audio series to help you master your time 
so you can live your dreams. 

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