Think you can juggle a phone conversation with a customer while responding to an email from your boss and reading a technical report? James C. Johnston, a cognition researcher at NASA says you are wrong!
Dr. Johnston researches and writes about human multi-tasking, in an effort to improve safety, efficiency and mission success when humans interact with complex aerospace systems. (Here is more information about NASA's Human Systems Integration Division.)
In a recent CareerJournal article, Dr. Johnston said,
"Multitasking doesn't look to be one of the great strengths of human cognition. It's almost inevitable that each individual task will be slower and of lower quality."
When attempting to multi-task, we make mistakes, miss nuances and waste time.
Do one thing at a time, and do it as well as the situation requires. Especially when you are communicating (in person, on the phone, via email), give that task (and that person) your full attention. Then -and only then - do the next thing.
That sort of focus will make you more effective, more efficient, and less stressed.
Here's one uni-tasking idea that helps me. Turn off all notification alert messages and sounds for e-mails. Look at your in-box only between tasks - complete a task, check your in-box, then on to the next task. Better yet, check your in-box on a set schedule (I check it once an hour).
