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
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.