Productivity Tips: The Multi-Tasking Question

Multi-tasking is doing multiple tasks at the same time. Most sources do not recommend multi-tasking as a time management tactic. I would agree when the tasks in question require detail-oriented concentration or creative work. Many activities require your full attention to avoid mistakes and produce the best results. Quality suffers when you don't give your work your complete attention. If you're distracted, you may end up doing a poor job on both tasks.

But much (perhaps most) of our time is occupied with routine tasks that don't require much mental focus.

In the case of routine and life maintenance tasks, multi-tasking helps you get more done and helps the time pass when tasks are dull. It also helps you minimize time spent on to-do items that are low priority but necessary.

We've all known someone who sits and stares at his computer while it's booting, scanning, or downloading. This is time that can be used for simple chores like sorting mail, shredding, or light reading. I keep reading material on hand for when I might have bits of time like this.

Make a list of things you can do while on the phone or watching TV — stuffing envelopes, reading mail, data entry, routine filing. When you can't think of something, check the list. Consider listening to podcasts while cooking, cleaning, or working out. Have casual phone conversations while walking. Check your social media notifications while on hold.

Some people like to make phone calls or listen to audio books or podcasts while commuting. Personally, I believe that driving is an activity that requires detail-oriented concentration and don't recommend listening to anything distracting. Only you can decide what you can handle while driving. Perhaps just music or a newscast is best.

As a basic principle, do only one thing at a time when concentration or creativity is required. Do multiple things only when concentration is not required.