Multi-Tasking

On 06/29/11, group discussed the topic of multi-tasking. Group members defined multi-tasking as performing two or more tasks at the same time or switching from one task to another back and forth. Members report that multi-tasking often happens under the following conditions:

• Being bored (example: driving and talking on the phone)
• Time pressure
• Pressure to be "effective" and "productive"
• Fear of "wasting time"
• Difficulty engaging in the task that is experienced as challenging or unpleasant (example: watching TV or listening to the music while writing a paper or doing bills)
  
• Having competing priorities (example: cooking dinner and paying attention to children)

Members agree that although they engage in multi-tasking with the hope of being more efficient and to focus better, it does not work most of the time and can be unsafe (as in example with driving and talking on the phone).

Some coping strategies members suggest:

• Simplifying (example: making a less elaborate dinner to have more time with kids)
  
• Re-evaluating priorities
• Finding other ways to engage self in the task