Last April I wrote about the terrible effect multitasking has on people. That very post marked the beginning of a single-tasking life for me after I admitted I had been a serial multitasker for years. Well, in all honesty, I still catch myself trying to multi-task, but that happens quite rarely.
Today I want to share with you an infographic by onlineuniversities.com that will make you re-consider your way of work if you still haven't turned your back to multitasking. I know how hard it is for women to grasp the bad effect multi-tasking has on our bodies and minds mostly because we are good at it but did you know what strain it puts on your brain?
For example, when you are faced with two tasks, they are divided between the two halves of your brain. Then it starts switching between both of them. But when a third task comes in play, the brain simply cannot handle it and your performance level drops down.
With the advance of technology we get both tempted and challenged to stay on top of all information sources which puts additional strain on our brains. Have you noticed how often you switch the tabs of your browser to check your email or Facebook? This clearly impairs your concentration.
Today I want to share with you an infographic by onlineuniversities.com that will make you re-consider your way of work if you still haven't turned your back to multitasking. I know how hard it is for women to grasp the bad effect multi-tasking has on our bodies and minds mostly because we are good at it but did you know what strain it puts on your brain?
For example, when you are faced with two tasks, they are divided between the two halves of your brain. Then it starts switching between both of them. But when a third task comes in play, the brain simply cannot handle it and your performance level drops down.
With the advance of technology we get both tempted and challenged to stay on top of all information sources which puts additional strain on our brains. Have you noticed how often you switch the tabs of your browser to check your email or Facebook? This clearly impairs your concentration.
Click on the image to view larger.
The infographic shows a disturbing figure - 95% of teenagers are online through different types of devices. No wonder so many of them get diagnosed with ADHD nowadays. It is obvious that neither the educational system nor the parents are ready to prepare the young generation for the avalanche of information.
What do you do to stay sane in the age of information and how do you protect your children?
Sonya, I am interested in your original article on multi-tasking, but the link doesn't appear to be working.
ReplyDelete(I am a serial multi-tasker too).
Thanks for letting me know! The link is fixed now.
DeleteI had a hard time really getting why multi-tasking is putting a strain on me because I followed the belief that I should try to do a lot of things as good as possible for as short a time as possible. I took pride in that. But I never noticed how it burned me out. Glad I changed the perspective!
I'm forwarding this on to my husband! His job requires a lot of being plugged in (even at home, much to my extreme irritation), and I know it makes it hard for him to get anything done.
ReplyDeleteComputer time is taking over our time at home too, so I understand what you mean!
DeleteI struggle with this. We are online all day--we have to be, so the temptation to reflexively check email, Facebook, Twitter, etc., is omnipresent. And when I go home, I just keep it up. I have stopped bringing my computer to meetings when possible, otherwise everyone just sits there and Skypes with people not in the room! It's ridiculous. I've realized lately that I am terrified of being bored or unoccupied for even a moment. That can't be healthy!
ReplyDeleteOh, I understand what you mean. This is probably the same as pc games/TV for kids. You get totally out of order if you are away from the computer. But there is a way out - don't keep your email open all the time, or at least while you need to focus and try to minimize computer time - I know how insane that sounds but it is a good start!
DeleteI was just thinking about how multi-tasking seems to be sucking the life out of my creativity. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Seems like we've been thinking along the same lines.
DeleteSonia, I read the other article and I think you're right. I'm able to hang up the laundry when I'm on the phone, but otherwise, I'm really bad at multitasking... I never listen to music when I do other stuff (even housework), and I threw out my television a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteAbout this article: I'm a piano teacher, and I think the students (kids and teenagers) practice less now than students did a few years ago. They say that they have a lot of homework and hobbies, and I'm sure they do, but I think the main problem is that they're having problems managing their time because of Facebook, Twitter etc.
I think the computer in itself should be used with care. I'm the first to admit that I love my Mac, and I like blogging, working with my photos in Photoshop and other creative computer work a lot. But a few months ago, I started making things... and I realized that my brain behaves in a completely different way when I sit down to work with real, tangible materials. I can think about all sorts of things without losing my focus - the thoughts just wander freely, but at a very pleasant speed. Making things with our own hands is something the brain is designed to do from the beginning of time, and I'd recommend it to everyone. It's pure mental hygiene!
Dear Demoiselle,
DeleteThank you for stopping by today! As an experienced teacher, you are so close to what the real problem is. Unfortunately consumerist culture is taking the world by storm and it is so sad witnessing what is going on with the young generation. It is much easier for grown-ups because we already have values while students are in the process of creating them.
And you are so right, we need to have dedicated time for hand work, just to keep the innate creativity! I often insist on hand work as a way to stay sane in this technical new life. This post might be of interest to you.
Hi Sonia, thanks for the email and the link to your other post (I just left a small comment there as well!
Deletethanks for sharing the infographic. I like that they also added some advice at the end. I'm more and more often scheduling separate chunks of time for different digital streams. I'm not much multitasking anymore. but I'm concerned about my generation. I see my friends constantly checking their mobiles at social events. the most of them are also online all day, even when they are working and I'm afraid that this kind of life-style won't last for long. but it's even harder to change our habits if everyone around us is behaving the same way. :/
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right, peer-pressure, even after 20 is tough to handle. But the least we can do is try to make a change for the better!
DeleteThis is a very interesting infographic and topic. I've always felt a bit of the odd one out since I really don't like and I'm not good at multi-tasking but still find myself doing it anyway because that seems to the the norm and the prevailing pressures especially in a work environment. I think single-tasking is so important for better results, productivity and overall. I hope people start a movement the other way and give single tasking more credit.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are so right. It took me quite some time to really believe what you are saying. Learning to multi-task especially because it was considered superior and then coming to realize it wasn't I went a long way. In a way I envy people like you, who just cannot multi-task because they have kept themselves more sane through the years!
DeleteI am definitely guilty of multi-tasking, although I'm making a conscious effort to work on it. At work, we had an Outlook trainer come in and she suggested turning off the email alerts (sounds and pop-ups). It was really hard for me at first, but after two months I'm used to it. I definitely am less distracted by emails now.
ReplyDelete2 months is a long time in computer world! You must have been really used to email alerts! One thing is sure - we were not prepared for so much mental pressure and now we need conscious efforts to keep our sanity!
DeleteGreat post! I'm an OCD multi-tasker. It's in my brain - I mean, blood. Definitely since having a child and multi-tasking even more than previously I think I've lost some brain cells. So...what do I do to stay sane? Multi-task...
ReplyDeleteAh, you are in the vicious circle, aren't you! I think as long as you keep to 2 tasks you will be fine but try not to go to three :) your child will thank you!
DeleteI'm kind of glad that I didn't grow up with all the gadgets and apps and constantly being "connected" that teenagers have now. I see people losing patience so quickly if they have to stand in line for more than a minute without a game to play on their phone or wait for a train without texting constantly. It must have an effect on attention spans and concentration. Plus, I absolutely think it's true that most of the people who think they are fabulous at multitasking don't realize they are actually not performing those tasks all that well and would do much better to focus on one thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteI feel pressure to be online more than I should as it pulls me away from making art and crafts and doing the things I love that really add meaning to my life, so I try to do both at once, but the computer sort of sucks you in and you don't even realize how much it's taking away from your creativity. Last night, instead of reading blogs and chatting on twitter, I sketched and sewed a new pin, and I went to bed with a smile on my face. :)
Oh boy, my brain must be fried. Slowing down now :)
ReplyDelete