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The Truth about Multitasking... and will it help for your ACCA studies?
For decades, multitasking was used to describe the parallel processing of computers. According to wikipedia* definition, “In computing, multitasking is a method by which multiple tasks; also known processes, share common processing resources such as CPU. In the case of a computer with a single CPU, only one task is said to be running at any point in time, meaning that the CPU is actively executing instructions for that task. Multitasking solves the problem by scheduling which task may be the one running at any given time, and when another waiting task gets a turn. The act of reassigning a CPU from one task to another one is called a context switch. When context switches occur frequently enough the illusion of parallelism is achieved. Even on computers with more than one CPU, multitasking allows many more tasks to be run than there are CPUs.”
However, of late, it entered our lexicon as the human ability to accomplish more than one task simultaneously. There is a lot of controversy about multitasking and whether it increases or decreases productivity. Is it a positive attribute to boast about on resumes, or is it a negative trait that can be associated with attention issues.
In essence, when we talk about multitasking, we are really talking about attention: the art of paying attention, and, more significantly, to exercise judgment about what is worthy of our attention.
So the ‘million dollar’ question is: is it better to concentrate on a task giving it complete focus and undivided attention, or is it more productive to give in to the demands of the times and attempt to accomplish several things simultaneously, using as many technologies as possible?
The fact of the matter is that there are pros and cons of multitasking. Talking about the positive aspects, the ability to shift back and forth between projects allows progress on multiple tasks and enables us to move several projects toward a single deadline. It also prevents boredom and keeps us inspired & creative in our work and, most of all, it lets us use our downtime productively. Lastly, the ability to multitask will help us cope with interruptions and changing priorities.
We all do a certain amount of multitasking anyway. We rarely, if ever, have the luxury of focusing totally on one task for its entire duration. We constantly get interrupted, and, depending on the nature of the interruption, our priorities may change. For instance, you may scan the newspaper while drinking your morning coffee, or listen to radio while driving to work. Most of these tasks are mechanical.
New research shows that humans don’t do lots of things simultaneously. Instead, we switch our attention from task to task extremely quickly. Switching from task to task or thought to thought is referred to as ‘context switching’ and while it is recognized that context switching introduces a certain element of inefficiency, it is also necessary under certain condition that may demand immediate attention. People who wear ‘multiple hats’ and have several responsibilities need to multitask.
Unfortunately, these benefits do not come without drawbacks. Multitasking divides our attention which often means that the quality of wok on any given task is lower when multitasking than if we had approached the task with a singularity of focus. Additionally, we may lose time moving back and forth between tasks because we need to remind ourselves of where we were when we left off. These ‘time costs’ increase with the complexity of the chores.
In fact, studies show that by doing less, you can actually get more done. However, the answer isn’t single-tasking either. Single-tasking is far too slow to help you succeed in today’s’ fast-paced world.
Instead, the key difference to effectiveness is to identify the tasks that will create the most value and focus on those. By prioritizing value over volume and sharpening your focus, on the things that truly matter, you will increase the quality of your work, and ultimately, the value you provide.
Think about this during your ACCA study. The next time you sit down for your ACCA revision, think about the value and prioritise your time accordingly. In the ideal world, you would have an infinite amount of time to prepare for your ACCA exams, but sadly that is not always the case.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_multitasking
29/4/2010
