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Single tasking or multi tasking?

by Vincelog
22 replies
Single tasking or multi tasking?

In recent times, multi tasking has been the in thing and being able to multi task is a trait where employers look out for. Employers look out for people who are able to multi task because it gives the impression that people who multi task are able to complete more task and their greater productivity will help to increase the company's bottom line.

The question is, is it really true that people who multi task are able to complete more tasks and thus termed more productive?

Multi Tasking

Being able to multi task is to be able to juggle doing several things at once without losing focus and I found that I am not one who is able to multi task and get more things done.

By multi tasking, I am unable give all my focus onto the task I am currently doing and that results in a longer time to complete my task and also affecting the quality of it.

When this happen, I believe that multi tasking does not contribute one bit to increasing productivity.

Single tasking - The forgotten philosophy

The definition of single tasking is doing one thing at a time and this is a way that helps people to get more things done because of how efficient this system is.

By single tasking, we are able to put in all our focus on one task that make us complete it in a shorter time and this also result in a better quality work.

Being able to hand out a better quality piece of work and also in a shorter time is definitely a trait of a person with great productivity.

So....

Does multi tasking help to increase our productivity compared to single tasking?

I do not think that multi tasking is the way to go if productivity is concerned. I have no doubts that multi tasking is needed in our daily life, such as listening to your favorite songs on your mp3 player and walking at the same time but when it comes to serious work, I believe single tasking is the way to go.

Let me give you an example; is it easier to juggle 10 balls or a single ball?

No doubt that juggling a single ball is easier compared to juggling 10 balls at once because you are able to give all your concentration on that single ball to ensure that the juggling will go smoothly.

What if you were juggling 10 balls at once instead? This time your concentration is spread thin because you got to keep your eye on all 10 of the balls which make the task much harder.

I had written 2 more extensive articles on single tasking and multi tasking which you can read it for more info.

So my question for today is, what do you think work best for you? Single tasking or multi tasking and do you think that the method you prefer help you to increase your productivity.

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
#multi #multi tasking #personal productivity #productivity #single #single tasking #tasking
  • Profile picture of the author Traffic101
    I love multitasking, especially at work, I can drop something and go to something else no problem. Without that ability I wouldn't be as efficient in a demanding job. Single tasking is more ideal for focus, but I don't get much of a chance to practice that.
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    • Profile picture of the author naruq
      As an entrepreneur I do both Single tasking and Multi-tasking. For example, if I am working a project I focus on that project for a specific period of time. During the course of the product I am multi-tasking with action steps that have to be completed to finish the project.
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  • Profile picture of the author softwarefilt
    I think the ideal is to know when to use each method. Sometimes you have to multitask, especially if you have young children to care for and you work from home.

    But yeah, I agree that single tasking is the only way to be as focused on a task as you can be.

    However, sometimes mutlitasking allows you some fresh perspective from one task onto another, which can enhance your work. So it really depends on the situation and the task in question.
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  • Profile picture of the author mashedtomato123
    Which is better is definitely not an either-or question. If I am studying for school, I had best be single-tasking. There's no way you're going to be able to cram in all of your studying as efficiently if you're simultaneously watching television. On the other hand, if you're waiting tables, you had best be multi-tasking!

    It's a given that you focus better when you don't have distractions, but distractions are part of life. It's all about dialing the knob to appropriate level of taskedness.
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    • Profile picture of the author oboi2121
      Hello Omari Taylor here,

      I have found single tasking to work best for me. Especially when marketing online. If I am jumping from task to task in the end I will get some work done but not as much if I use good time management and do one task at a time. So if you ask me I would recommend people that are marketing to do one thing at a time. Best wishes.
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      • Profile picture of the author Vincelog
        Originally Posted by Traffic101 View Post

        I love multitasking, especially at work, I can drop something and go to something else no problem. Without that ability I wouldn't be as efficient in a demanding job. Single tasking is more ideal for focus, but I don't get much of a chance to practice that.
        Hi Traffic 101,

        I believe that will be your preferred way and I am actually more into single tasking instead as I find it hard to concentrate and get things done when I am in a multi tasking mode.

        Originally Posted by softwarefilt View Post

        I think the ideal is to know when to use each method. Sometimes you have to multitask, especially if you have young children to care for and you work from home.

        But yeah, I agree that single tasking is the only way to be as focused on a task as you can be.

        However, sometimes mutlitasking allows you some fresh perspective from one task onto another, which can enhance your work. So it really depends on the situation and the task in question.
        Hi softwarefilt,

        Single tasking is my preferred way to do my work but I do multi task when I am doing normal daily activities such as cleaning up my house and such.

        Originally Posted by mashedtomato123 View Post

        Which is better is definitely not an either-or question. If I am studying for school, I had best be single-tasking. There's no way you're going to be able to cram in all of your studying as efficiently if you're simultaneously watching television. On the other hand, if you're waiting tables, you had best be multi-tasking!

        It's a given that you focus better when you don't have distractions, but distractions are part of life. It's all about dialing the knob to appropriate level of taskedness.
        Hi mashedtomato,

        It seem like this approach picking depending on the situation is the way to go.

        Originally Posted by oboi2121 View Post

        Hello Omari Taylor here,

        I have found single tasking to work best for me. Especially when marketing online. If I am jumping from task to task in the end I will get some work done but not as much if I use good time management and do one task at a time. So if you ask me I would recommend people that are marketing to do one thing at a time. Best wishes.
        Hi Omari Taylor,

        I am doing internet marketing work too and I got to say that multi tasking never help me to get more things done. I find that it is only when I do one thing at a time then I will get more things done as a result.

        Cheers
        Vincent
        Personal Development Blogger
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  • Profile picture of the author gbzstyle
    I went through the Eben Pagan Wake Up Productive course and he placed a strong focus on doing one thing at a time most of the time and to do your multi-tasking at specific times scheduled each day for maximum productivity. I've started to implement this and it has helped quite a bit.
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    • Profile picture of the author Grace Jen
      Hello all, firstly, I would like to say a big THANK YOU for sharing your views in this Post, it is so awesome to see many come out with different view points

      I suppose when come to Single Tasking or Multi-Tasking, it depends on individual case, eg. either you are doing prepartion for a big negotiation in Business Deal, or your are taking care of your babies, or studying for exams, watching movies, etc....

      Sometimes, one can do 2 differenet things at once, but sometimes, you can only do one thing at once. This also come back to individual, some people are really good in multi-tasking and can achieve wonderful outsomes, and some people are really single minded and can only do one task excellently at each time. hhm... may be there is no right or wrong, ie. a Grey Area???

      There is a 80/20 Rule, If there are many tasks waiting for you to complete at certain period of time, then list out all the tasks that you need to do, list them according to importance and urgency.
      Ask yourself, if you are going to spend time and effort to complete just one task, which One is the best one where when you complete it, it can contribute to your success? Then, you will figure out which one you should pour your heart and soul in completing it, am I right?

      There might not be a right or wrong answer, it comes back to Individual and the Task itself? Most important thing is make sure you organise yourself and complete the tasks in an excellent manner, right?

      Once again, thanks for sharing
      I wish you all All The Best and keep in touch closely!
      Cheers,
      Grace Jen
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    • Profile picture of the author Alibaba
      Originally Posted by gbzstyle View Post

      I went through the Eben Pagan Wake Up Productive course and he placed a strong focus on doing one thing at a time most of the time and to do your multi-tasking at specific times scheduled each day for maximum productivity. I've started to implement this and it has helped quite a bit.
      I have to agree, the single task method is when you are most productive.
      If I recall it right I think Eben mentioned that it takes a person 20 min to get back in the right frame of mind when switching from task to task.

      think about it...say while writing your 'article' you check your email - no big deal right?
      wrong - your mind has just driffed away from your 'article' and you have to get back in that 'frame of mind' when you switch back...I have tested it and it works.
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      • Profile picture of the author Vincelog
        Originally Posted by Mari_Quint View Post

        Really depends on what you're doing. In business or doing a project, for instance, focus is very important. You don't want to end up with a shabby output, right?

        When doing chores at home, that's the time I multi-task.

        I think when the work demands more of our brains like writing or doing reports, we tend to single-task.
        Hi Mari_Quint,

        That approach goes for me too.

        Originally Posted by gbzstyle View Post

        I went through the Eben Pagan Wake Up Productive course and he placed a strong focus on doing one thing at a time most of the time and to do your multi-tasking at specific times scheduled each day for maximum productivity. I've started to implement this and it has helped quite a bit.
        Hi gbzstyle,

        I believe that will be a wonderful course! Eben Pagan really know his stuff and his ideas are simple yet powerful which can really help us improve our productivity. I wanted to register for the course but I believe it is closed already am I right?

        Originally Posted by Grace Jen View Post

        Hello all, firstly, I would like to say a big THANK YOU for sharing your views in this Post, it is so awesome to see many come out with different view points

        I suppose when come to Single Tasking or Multi-Tasking, it depends on individual case, eg. either you are doing prepartion for a big negotiation in Business Deal, or your are taking care of your babies, or studying for exams, watching movies, etc....

        Sometimes, one can do 2 differenet things at once, but sometimes, you can only do one thing at once. This also come back to individual, some people are really good in multi-tasking and can achieve wonderful outsomes, and some people are really single minded and can only do one task excellently at each time. hhm... may be there is no right or wrong, ie. a Grey Area???

        There is a 80/20 Rule, If there are many tasks waiting for you to complete at certain period of time, then list out all the tasks that you need to do, list them according to importance and urgency.
        Ask yourself, if you are going to spend time and effort to complete just one task, which One is the best one where when you complete it, it can contribute to your success? Then, you will figure out which one you should pour your heart and soul in completing it, am I right?

        There might not be a right or wrong answer, it comes back to Individual and the Task itself? Most important thing is make sure you organise yourself and complete the tasks in an excellent manner, right?

        Once again, thanks for sharing
        I wish you all All The Best and keep in touch closely!
        Cheers,
        Grace Jen
        Hi Grace Jen,

        There is definitely a grey area there and at the end of day, we need to choose the approach that work for us. I had written an article on 80/20 rule and maybe you would like to read more on it.

        Originally Posted by Christie Love View Post

        I used to be the master at mult-tasking. But, nowadays, I try to take things one step at a time.Some things require that I multi-task, so for those moments, I just try to take things slowly.
        Hi Christie Love,

        One step at a time will ensure things get done at a higher quality and as Mari_Quint suggest, multi tasking can be applied to lighter tasks but when it comes down to task that need concentration, it is recommended to switch back to single tasking mode.

        Originally Posted by Alibaba View Post

        I have to agree, the single task method is when you are most productive.
        If I recall it right I think Eben mentioned that it takes a person 20 min to get back in the right frame of mind when switching from task to task.

        think about it...say while writing your 'article' you check your email - no big deal right?
        wrong - your mind has just driffed away from your 'article' and you have to get back in that 'frame of mind' when you switch back...I have tested it and it works.
        Hi Alibaba,

        You are right. Whenever we shift our mind to other task and returning back to our original task, this require us to spend some time in getting back into the mood and focus which result a loss in productivity.

        Cheers
        Vincent
        Personal Development Blogger
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        • Profile picture of the author James Clark
          I read some where multi tasking is not a good idea. It makes you dumb! Work on one thing at a time.

          Jimmy
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          • Profile picture of the author Stephen Michael Green
            We can only ever truly work on one thing at a time, so the concept of Multi-Tasking is just that... a concept that exists purely in our imagination.

            Successful so called 'Multi-Taskers' are people who are very good at maintaining a clear and accurate visual representation of any outstanding work in an well organised, prioritised and easily accessible way.

            They can focus on anyone thing at a time, drop it if necessary (like sticking it in a pigeon hole), do another task (just like picking it out of another pigeon hole), then pick up the original task at later time as if nothing had happened.

            All that is required to be a so-called 'Multi-Tasker' is an organised mind.
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            • Profile picture of the author DanGTD
              Multi tasking is good for cooking, but not for business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Christie Love
    I used to be the master at mult-tasking. But, nowadays, I try to take things one step at a time.Some things require that I multi-task, so for those moments, I just try to take things slowly.
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  • Profile picture of the author rlnorthcutt
    Single-tasking = focus. Great for confusing, "treacherous" or anything that requires concentration.

    Multi-tasking = wide angle. Great for simple, "fuzzy" tasks that have a high degree of mistake tolerance.

    Keep in mind too that men and women are wired differently (statistically speaking - each of us is unique). Men tend to be able to focus with greater ease and for longer periods of time. Women tend to be able to multi-task a larger number of tasks... often much larger number.

    I have seen some cool experiments with these ideas. Its hilarious to see a guy running around trying to do 8 things at the same time, while a girl is having no trouble.

    So - different personalities and different factors will dictate what skills you tend to use more and how to perform tasks.

    Ron
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    • Profile picture of the author StevenW
      I second that, different situations call for different actions. And we have an in-built system that automatically sets us into motion to perform single/multi tasking when the situation calls for it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Vincelog
        Originally Posted by James Clark View Post

        I read some where multi tasking is not a good idea. It makes you dumb! Work on one thing at a time.

        Jimmy
        Hi James,

        I had read that before and hope that people who read that will focus more on single tasking instead.

        Originally Posted by Stephen Michael Green View Post

        We can only ever truly work on one thing at a time, so the concept of Multi-Tasking is just that... a concept that exists purely in our imagination.

        Successful so called 'Multi-Taskers' are people who are very good at maintaining a clear and accurate visual representation of any outstanding work in an well organised, prioritised and easily accessible way.

        They can focus on anyone thing at a time, drop it if necessary (like sticking it in a pigeon hole), do another task (just like picking it out of another pigeon hole), then pick up the original task at later time as if nothing had happened.

        All that is required to be a so-called 'Multi-Tasker' is an organised mind.
        Hi Stephen,

        Thanks for your input.

        Originally Posted by DanGTD View Post

        Multi tasking is good for cooking, but not for business.
        Hi Dan,

        I was laughing over your reply and I got to agree with you.

        Originally Posted by rlnorthcutt View Post

        Single-tasking = focus. Great for confusing, "treacherous" or anything that requires concentration.

        Multi-tasking = wide angle. Great for simple, "fuzzy" tasks that have a high degree of mistake tolerance.

        Keep in mind too that men and women are wired differently (statistically speaking - each of us is unique). Men tend to be able to focus with greater ease and for longer periods of time. Women tend to be able to multi-task a larger number of tasks... often much larger number.

        I have seen some cool experiments with these ideas. Its hilarious to see a guy running around trying to do 8 things at the same time, while a girl is having no trouble.

        So - different personalities and different factors will dictate what skills you tend to use more and how to perform tasks.

        Ron
        Hi Ron,

        I like the way you define single tasking tasks and multi tasking tasks. I believe gender does play a part too as it seem most girls can multi task better than guys and I am hoping for someone to do a article on that to explain why.

        Originally Posted by StevenW View Post

        I second that, different situations call for different actions. And we have an in-built system that automatically sets us into motion to perform single/multi tasking when the situation calls for it.
        Hi Steven,

        As I mentioned in my earlier replies, different approach is useful in different scenarios and we need to determine when to single task and multi task. I think I missed that out in my article and thanks for your comment.

        Cheers
        Vincent
        Personal Development Blogger
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  • Profile picture of the author ProEFI
    If you would like some advice from a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, here goes...

    Ideally you want to complete one task at a time. In reality that's not always possible, there are interuptions and other things that happen that cause waiting time (one form of waste in a "Lean" environment). The principles of Lean and Constraint management basically say that multi tasking is evil. Disruptions in completing a task result in the overall cycle time of that task taking longer than if it could have been done without any interuptions. The reason for this is because you need to get your "head" back into it. It's especially hard for men vs women.

    Wherever possible, focus on one task at a time.

    Andrew
    successinworkandfamilylife.com
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  • Profile picture of the author jayden.fellze
    I like multitasking, it challenges me. It boost my mental attitude to finish all my tasks. Though single tasking keeps me focus and do better on my job, but it's a case to case basis. It depends on how easy or tough my tasks would be.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vincelog
      Originally Posted by ProEFI View Post

      If you would like some advice from a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, here goes...

      Ideally you want to complete one task at a time. In reality that's not always possible, there are interuptions and other things that happen that cause waiting time (one form of waste in a "Lean" environment). The principles of Lean and Constraint management basically say that multi tasking is evil. Disruptions in completing a task result in the overall cycle time of that task taking longer than if it could have been done without any interuptions. The reason for this is because you need to get your "head" back into it. It's especially hard for men vs women.

      Wherever possible, focus on one task at a time.

      Andrew
      successinworkandfamilylife.com
      Hey Andrew,

      Interruptions cause our focus to be pulled in another direction and we need to spend time to get back to our focused state again and this will cause us to spend more time to complete a task that actually need lesser time. That is why tuning out interruptions is an important step to take whenever we are doing our tasks.

      Originally Posted by jayden.fellze View Post

      I like multitasking, it challenges me. It boost my mental attitude to finish all my tasks. Though single tasking keeps me focus and do better on my job, but it's a case to case basis. It depends on how easy or tough my tasks would be.
      Hi jayden,

      I do agree on your stand. I do multi task on when the task on hand is an easy one but I never try to multi task on significant tasks such as when I am writing my articles which require great amount of concentration.

      Cheers
      Vincent
      Personal Development Blogger
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  • Profile picture of the author morwanneg
    Depends on my mood. I like to multi task when i have so much energy with me. I do single task when i feel like i really need to focus. Multitasking really stressed me out but it really helps me with work.
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  • Profile picture of the author coachmike
    I am absolutely terrible at multi-tasking. I rarely find any degree of effectiveness getting involved in more than one thing at a time. I lose focus, become too stressed, and usually all of the tasks I'm trying to get done suffer in quality/performance. I'm definitely not wired for it.

    Attracting Abundance, Prosperity & Wealth,
    Coach Mike
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