tips for focusing, multi-tasking

It seems everyone these days prides themselves on being multitaskers. But where does it get you? According to recent research from the University of Michigan, not very far.

David Meyer and his colleagues found that multitasking not only makes you less efficient and less effective, but, over time, stresses and even damages the brain. Splitting attention between two tasks decreases a limited amount of brain power a person can devote to each task. The result? Neither task is done particularly well.

The short-term costs of inefficiency and ineffectiveness are compounded by long-term costs of chronically stressing the brain. This leads to a neurochemical cascade that inhibits memory, reduces concentration, and impairs decision-making and learning. Chronic stress can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, heart disease, infertility and suppressed immune response. Not a pretty picture.

For the next week spend two days observing your multitasking behavior. What do you do? What justifications do you use to support the action? How do you feel when you're doing it? How do you feel afterwards? How would you rate the quality of your work? Did you listen particularly well? Did you understand at a deep level? Do you recall clearly what you were doing and why?

Spend another two days purposely focusing on one thing at a time. Be fully attentive when performing a given task. Respond to these questions: How do you feel when you're doing it? How do you feel afterwards? How would you rate the quality of your work? Did you listen particularly well? Did you understand at a deep level? Do you recall clearly what you were doing and why?

At day 5, compare and contrast the experiences. What did you learn from them?

Coaching Tips for Focusing: