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Are We Trying to Do Too Much? Multitasking has become a buzz word in today's world. It used to be "He who has the most toys before he dies wins." Now I wonder if it is "She who juggles the most tasks wins." There is no doubt that we are expected by society, our jobs, peers, and families to do many things well in the same 24 hours that we have always had. The expectation of society is big problem in a lot of areas, but who is "society?" Isn't that us, you and me? The term "multitasking" originated in the computer world. It simply means that computers are able to do many tasks at the same time. However, even that is not really true. It is just that computers can flip back and forth between tasks very rapidly. So can we, but at what cost? There has been a lot of research on this multitasking thing recently. It turns out that we are shortchanging ourselves in many ways when we attempt to multitask. If our reason for multitasking is that we want to save time, we might want to rethink that. Research is pointing to the fact that we really can't put out attention on more than one thing at a time, but, like the computer, we can flip from one thing to another rapidly. The cost, however, is that, unlike the computer, our brains need to have time to refocus on each task each time we turn to it. This refocusing time, actually costs us time in the long run. We may feel like we are getting more done, but the time wasted on refocusing really adds up in the course of a day. Not only does it take longer to complete tasks, but research is also saying that the results we get on all of our tasks are not nearly as good as they would be if we had focused on each of them exclusively. We are also shortchanging ourselves physically. When we put stress on ourselves to multitask, we are putting our bodies into a state of emergency. This causes our bodies to release a powerful hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that we often call the "fight or flight" hormone. It is a useful hormone that helps us deal with emergencies and deadlines, but when it is constantly being pumped into our bodies (as in multitasking) it sometimes causes health problems. High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and weight gain are only a few of the physical problems caused by too much of this hormone. Our mental functions also decrease and show up as memory loss, difficulty with word retrieval, poor concentration and loss of focus. What's more, it has also been discovered that over time being in a constant state of emergency destroys neurons in the brain in the prefrontal cortex. And guess what? The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain we need in order to multitask, meet deadlines, make decisions, and curb impulses. It is the part of the brain that is often referred to as the "executive" center of the brain. When the prefrontal cortex is compromised, we become scattered and unable to focus. So what do we do? I know that modern life requires us to do a certain amount of multitasking, otherwise we simply would not be able to complete all the things we need to do in a day even if we reduce these things down to a bare minimum. Therefore, I would like to suggest that we need to be careful how we combine tasks in order to multitask safely and productively. The way the brain works is that as we habituate to a task that requires motor functions or movement, the instructions for that task moves from the prefrontal cortex to a part of the brain called the basal ganglia and are stored there. That is why driving a car or riding a bike requires all of our attention when are learning to perform these functions, but later we seem to do them automatically. The prefrontal cortex is key in the function of these tasks only until we learn them. However, I think I should mention here that this does not mean that I think we should multitask while driving or riding a bike. While the prefrontal cortex might not be involved in the performance of the motor skills needed for these tasks, it is needed in paying attention to, interpreting, and responding to our environments. It is unsafe (not to mention socially irresponsible) to multitask while performing these kinds of functions period. No arguments, no justification, we just should not do it! However, folding the laundry while talking on the phone is a form of multitasking that we could safely perform. We could also most likely listen to an audio-book or music while raking leaves or exercising. We cannot, though, effectively talk on the phone and write an email at the same time. Why? Because the prefrontal cortex is involved in listening to and responding to the person on the phone and it is also necessary to put together an email. Again, the prefrontal cortex is capable of attending to only one task at a time. It can switch between them, but it cannot attend to more than one of them at a time. By learning to combine those tasks that rely upon two different parts of the brain to perform, we can multitask without much loss, but when we start getting the prefrontal cortex involved in too many tasks simultaneously, we are approaching the danger zone emotionally, physically, and mentally. Performance goes down and concentration and memory decline. Next time you decide to put your makeup on while driving, or answer phone calls and emails at the same time, remember which centers of the brain are needed and it should help you decide on multitasking decisions. With all that being said, I would like to say that I think our world is out of control and a little bit crazy making. We (remember we make up society) need to start to rethink our positions on a lot of things and simplify our lives. Without a good balance, all the toys in the world will not make us happy. We will just be stressed out trying to take care of all of our toys. Coaches Corner As I was writing this article, I went into the kitchen to check on the dip my husband was making for an afternoon of ballgame watching. I ran downstairs to get some disposable bowls for the dip and remembered that I was painting a table and it needed several coats of paint. So I left the bowls on the stairs, got out the paint, and painted the table. Then I grabbed the bowls, ran back upstairs, checked on the dip in the oven, determined that it needed more time to cook, and ran back to my computer to finish this article. Clearly, I am not practicing what I preach!I tell you this because I want you to know that what inspired me to write this article is that I need it! I need to put into words what I already know, and I need to keep putting this out into the world until I can find a way to work it into my life. Sometimes I feel bent under the weight of all the things I have to get done in a day. I know that you feel that way too. So, what do you say we support each other in the effort to make some changes. After all, we, you and I, are society. And change in "society" has to start with us. Coaching Challenge: 1. Keep track of all of your multitasking activities for one week. 2. Determine which centers of the brain are involved in these tasks. 3. If you are trying to do too many things that tax the prefrontal cortex at the same time, make decisions about how you are going to rearrange your multitasking so that you don't create more problems than you solve. 4. Ask yourself why you are trying to do too many things at once. Is it because you need more money and have to work harder to earn it? If so, ask yourself if you can reduce your expenses. Is it because the kids are involved in too many activities? Think about limiting them to one per season per child. You get the picture. Until we know why we are trying to fit too much into our lives, we can't eliminate any of it. 5. Get out your journal. Write about the ways you over tax yourself and the reasons why. Try to get some clarity in those areas. Look for my e-book on this topic soon. I love your stories. If you have comments or a story of your own on this topic, please send it to me. Who knows, it might show up in my book! VERY IMPORTANT: When you subscribe, you will immediately receive an e-mail that requires you to confirm your subscription. This is called "double opt-in" and it helps prevent spam. Please reply to this e-mail and confirm your subscription to Connections. You may unsubscribe at any time, should you decide that you do not want to receive Connections. |
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