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the Secret Multitasking You Don't Know
You're Doing
(click for podcast on Soundcloud)

Hopefully it's become more common knowledge that the promises of multitasking go quite unfulfilled. We know that our brain is literally switching back and forth between tasks, and that there's a lag time between as our brain downshifts from one task, and then upshifts into the next. This lag time cumulatively adds up to a significant chunk of time. 

Doing testing with clients on a simple dual task, they averaged at least a 50% increase in time, increased errors, and increased anxiety. To a person, they said they felt "rushed" when multitasking. To go back and correct errors took even more time.

So if we begin with the premise that multitasking is factually inefficient, and we do our best to mindfully take things in sequence, is there something else lurking to sabotage our efforts? Unfortunately that's a huge yes.

There's an unconscious "bug" at work, slowing you down, and increasing errors and anxiety. We may not realize it, but even thinking about one thing while doing another is absolutely multitasking. The most insidious form of this is splitting your mind between Process (what you're doing) and Outcome (the finished product.)

I've addressed these two many times in posts and even a chapter of "Kind Ambition," but not in this context of multitasking. Here's the most straightforward guideline:

Outcome = Planning, Process = Doing

Focus on the Outcome when you're planning. Make the Outcome clear enough to reverse engineer the perfect plan, and path to get there. Put all your energy into ensuring the plan leads to the Outcome. When that's set, it's time to switch to Process.

Now, as your mind is focused solely on doing what you're doing, you'll do a much better, faster job. The "bug" is multitasking Outcome Thinking when you need to be focused on what you're doing. When we think about Outcome(which is crystal ball future thinking) during the doing, we take our mind off that doing, and start speculating stories around the Outcome. 

The pebble hits the water, and ripples of self-criticism, insecurity, and fear of judgment start to spread, taking huge amounts of brainpower and resources away from the doing (Process) ensuring more time and errors, and creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Even if we're daydreaming about "how great this is going to be" we're taking our eyes off the ball. Here's a super simple visual: running up a flight of stairs. We've all done this. You look up at the top, trace the path back to your feet, and run up. If we stare at the top (Outcome) we trip. If we look at our feet, we don't.

There are times to stop and re-assess our plan of course. That's a full stop, look back at the Outcome and re-trace to where we are, adjust the plan if necessary, then full attention on the doing (Process) again. The more we focus on what we're doing, the better it will turn out. The more we focus on how it will turn out, the worse job we do. It really is that simple. As the Buddhist proverb goes: "chop wood, carry water." Pay attention to this for a week or so and let me know how it works for you!

Want to learn more about how to become the best you possible?  Come visit the web site, or better yet, contact me and see how we can design a program to fit your needs and desired outcomes.

     - Ian J. Blei


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Everybody wants to slim down for the summer, so, let's start with fees for the Dynamic Discovery Session. I'm slashing fees for the first 3 people (who haven't already worked with me) who email me this month's secret word found on the web site. Let's schedule your session!

“Ian Blei is exceptionally talented at helping people get the utmost out of life. He has an incredible ability to quickly discover key patterns and issues that can either drive or inhibit breakthroughs. Ian is the ultimate bundle of experience, skill, smarts, passion and professionalism." - M.M., - m biz dev

Ian gave me the guidance and mentor-ship that I needed to really grow and advance within my company. Long story short I was promoted twice quite quickly after working with Ian and have the tools needed to grow and manage my ever expanding team. I highly recommend Ian to anyone looking for personal and professional growth!
- D.D: Regional Sales Director, West-USA

"If you're looking for the best you but having trouble finding him/her, have a conversation with Ian and you'll see a light of possibilities." - Dr. A.P., San Francisco, CA
 

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