Becoming Our Best
Multi-Tasking: What's the Payoff?
It seems that each of us is asked to do more and more, and do it all quicker and better. That can be an overwhelming combination! So the natural thing is to move toward multi-tasking: While on a telephone call with a team member, you answer some e-mail, look at papers on your desk and plan for your vacation. Wow, you got a lot of things done! But how well were they done? Here are some negative results you may experience from multi-tasking:
• Endless cycles of e-mails because you didn’t have time to double check and express yourself clearly the first time.
• Misunderstood telephone conversations resulting from poor listening.
• Misplaced documents in the office that you moved around while doing something else.
• Having a miserable vacation because you didn’t pay enough attention while researching.
The list could go on, but I think you know what I mean. So what can be done? Try these strategies and see what works for you:
• Be aware. Choose whether or not to multi-task.
• When possible re-schedule telephone calls for a time when you can listen. Many times this can be done, if you ask
• Unsubscribe from sources whose e-mail you don’t read anyway
• Delay responding to e-mails that can be taken care of later.
Would you rather be known as a person who gets a lot of things done, but not very well, or a person who does necessary things and gets excellent results? A little thought about how we can best use our time, and resisting the temptation to multi-task all day could get some great results. What do you think?
Author: Bruce Johnsen Management Consultant:
824 Munras Ave Suite G
Monterey, CA 93940
831-373-5969
bruce@brucejohnsen.com
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