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Multitasking (which I often call “overlapping”) and Focusing are two methods I rely on to tackle most of my projects. I find that each offers benefits, and both multitasking and focusing together at weddings and parties usually assures successful solutions.
Following are a few thoughts, based on my own experience at weddings and parties. This is certainly not the last word on the subject. What can you add?
Focusing is concentrating my full attention on the question at hand. Eliminating distractions and considering the same question from many perspectives. Visualizing the solution and imagining getting there vividly and step-by-step.
Focusing brings the project to the center of my thoughts, allowing me to apply all my imagination, experience, and ingenuity. Sounds wonderful, but for all its benefits, focusing also creates a blind spot, allowing me to miss “the elephant in the room”. It also keeps me from noticing solutions that might be visible only in the corner of my eye.
This is where multitasking helps. By managing several projects at the same time, and alternating my attention among them, I return to each project with a refreshed approach. Solutions often magically appear, as though my mind continues to work on the first problem while I tackle the next.
Multitasking can combat staleness and rigidity due to overthinking, by continually introducing fresh new perspectives. It also gives me the feeling of making progress on several fronts, rather than just one at a time. However multitasking can also introduce significant inefficiency, by requiring me to “set the stage” each time I re-approach one of the tasks.
My own personal inclination is the include both focusing and multitasking whenever I tackle a project. However, given the opportunity, my imagination runs a little too wild. I daydream easily and I’m quite distractible. This tendency is great for brainstorming but not so good for actually completing a project. Too much multitasking can easily lead me to trouble, and I’ve grown to favor focusing as my main problem-solving and project-managing style for weddings and parties.
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Bottom line: Both Focusing and Multitasking offer significant benefits for solving a problem or managing a project. Find your best balance for using BOTH methods. Do you favor one?
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I’ve really been concentrating on focusing these days because I think it helps me avoid time wasters. My definition of multitasking is a bit different than yours. I’ve always seen multitasking as doing multiple tasks at the same time, not simply having different projects active at the same time. So multitasking is cooking and emailing at the same time, or talking on the phone and checking Twitter, or doing laundry and trying to finish a blog post, etc. This kind of multitasking ends up leaving me feeling frenetic, and I don’t produce good results. I’m doing my best to eliminate it from my life. If I want to do something, I do it–without the interference of something else!
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing
I would love to know more about how you envision using both focusing and overlapping/multi-tasking. As you describe them, they seem so different and I get they both have drawbacks as well as benefits. What I would love to know more of is how you wuld do both. For me, I sometimes feel like I focus more intenly when I allow myself the breaks that overlapping offers, but I also feel like the trend towards multi-tasking is an invitation to step up my own ADHD! —that is when I do what Judy talks about below—talk on the phone as I check email, etc
I am a queen at multi-tasking which I love to do and cannot go a day without. I do manage to focus in several areas at once, though and accomplish everything I need to. The kinds of tasks I do simultaneously are similar to Judy’s – on the phone, checking email, setting up my Tweets while reading a blog post or FB. I get bored with only one project in front of me. I’d like to clarify that I do not tackle all projects at once, but I am OK with starting one – stopping – moving to another and going back and forth. My brain seems to be able to handle that quite well. I have to keep busy and keep my mind engaged during the work day. That being said, when I am done working, I am done! Naps are a welcome diversion for my brain and my body.
You are just following the normal way of things. Men tend to be more single minded and women are the multitaskers. SAw a great comedy show called Defending the Caveman where the actor details that men were hunters which requires great focus and single mindedness and women were the gatherers, they were always scanning the environment on the lookout for edible roots, veggies, fruits and water. You’re doing what you do best!
Julieanne Case Always from the heart!
Blog: http://julieannecasefromtheheart.com
Reconnecting you to your essence, joy, vitality, youth.| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | AgeLoc Skin Care | Pharmanex Supplements
http://thereconnectivehighway.com
I am a procrastinator and therefore I get distracted very easily, somewhat like you. I have found the deadlines help me be productive. I think multi-tasking at times makes me less productive. I need to focus on one task at a time and focus on it and that is when I’ll get the most done. Breaks between tasks and every so often are necessary to keep us motivated!
Jaspreet Mundeir, ND
http://www.suratnaturopathic.com
I really admire your commitment to the 30 day video challenge! You obviously are feeling more comfortable as you go along, and as I think I have told you before, you are a natural on screen! For me, multitasking is something I have to do every day, and some days I am better at it than others, but I also much appreciate being able to focus on something I need to get done. It just feels less stressful and more rewarding to me to be able to focus on one thing at a time, so I cherish those times when I am able to do that. I took yesterday off from going in to the shop and stayed at home to focus on a presentation I had to put together, then on a couple of other projects that needed to be done, and felt so much better afterward! Good luck with your continued video challenge! You are a great example to everyone!
I find when I focus so much on 1 thing it consumes me and then I begin to will things to happen instead of letting my source lead me to what is to unfold. I am a multi tasker but sometimes I think that may be a disadvantage because I get a lot of things going and have a challenge in completing them. I am finding its best not to over commit to goals and activities. Focus for a short period of time is good for me.
Being a persuasive warrior I am a big multi tasker and can get a lot done when multi tasking. However! I have found that there are certain things where I am better focusing on that task alone. The 30 day writing challenge for example, I only write when doing that. If I’m writing marketing materials then that only. Hmmm think there’s a pattern here. I need to focus when I am writing!
Louise Edington
Breaking Through Online Frontiers
http://louiseedington.com
I’m a definite focuser – multitasking takes me down to many ambly, rambly roads. I’m task oriented and like to get the job done, however, when you must wait on something like technology, I’ve been know to multitask slightly. BTW, I didn’t get a ticket, but I’ve driven the wrong way on a one-way street twice – very scary.
I prefer to be focused. When I attempt to multi task I land up doing a lot less, a scattering if what I need to do. When I do redesigns at clients homes, I am completely focused. Doing both physical and mental work. When I get home I always feel great. Accomplished and exhausted by a job well done.
Jennifer DucheneThe Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle, laughter and Chic Cocoons™http://LYShome.com
HI Robbie, well, I’m not surprised your wife is so good at, after all she’s a woman and we’re known for our excellent ability to multitask. 🙂
I actually think both abilities are helpful and necessary each in their own right. I multitask most of the time, but find that there are situations that just require individual focus. I also have found time when trying to multitask has gone wrong, I should have focused better.
Best of luck with your 30 video challenge!
Lisa Vitale, Momprenuer
http://www.lisawifemom.wordpress.com
I’m a multi-tasker. I have a lot of things that need to be done, so I do similar to what you mention… do focused activities, but switch between them. I’m one of those people who has 3-5 books that I’m reading, several different projects, etc. I will choose one to work on and focus on it for a certain amount of time, but then need to switch to work on other things that also require attention. My house needs daily attention and still needs to be unpacked, purged, and organized. It’s easily a 2-week (or more) project, but there’s no way I can spend a focused two weeks on it. So I give myself X amount of time each day. I work in blocks of time and then focus on one project in each block.
Robbie,
I tend to be a multi-tasker by nature although I am determined to develop my focusing skills. For me I find multi-tasking vs focusing have benefits and down falls for different projects I am working on in my health coaching practice.
Blessings of health,
chris arcucci
Who says a woman can’t cultivate her super powers in a dress?!
http://www.MindfulLivingArts.com
It was interesting to hear you say your wife tends to multitask more while you tend to focus more. I’ve found that true in my relationship as well and think that is generally a difference between men and women. Then I read your descriptions of focus and multitask and they were not quite what I was thinking! I’m a multitasker in that I tend to do two things at once, like work and talk on the phone. Not so good because neither has my full attention. When I read about you being easily distracted, I totally relate to that! That’s when I have to really focus on the task at hand to complete what I set out to do. Hope this is making sense. And I’m not even multitasking!
Susan Berland
I am the queen of multitasking….to a fault maybe. There are things better left focused on…or that deserve much more attention and focus….it depends on what it is for me! However, with 4 kids I would not be able to cope without multitasking….don’t know a mom who isn’t a multitasker…its just the way it has to be sometimes. Focus is great too, but requires more quiet, alone time, so is reserved for those things that need it most or things I am having a hard time completing while doing other things. I am multitasking as I write….but only for a minute:)
I love the picture of you! Really great image and funny too! I’ve hear that no one can truly multitask. The brain can only focus on one thing at a time. I’m not sure that is 100% true, but it is to a point. My problem is that my kids are constantly interrupting me, so I constantly have to “re-set” the stage to get back to what I was doing. Making lists helps me remember what I’m supposed to be doing to complete a task.