Today’s New York Times reports on the latest research findings on multitasking and workplace interruption. Neuroscientists have a better idea of how much efficiency is lost when people attempt to handle even two tasks at the same time, so even that hands-free set for your mobile phone is no help when driving. It seems like Gerald Ford was ahead of the curve when he claimed to be unable to talk and walk in a straight line at the same time.
Common-sense workplace tips start with, check e-mail at most once an hour. (Aside: one of the more annoying habits I have come across is when people call me and ask me if I have read their e-mail. When I hit the download button, I notice that they sent me the mail about two minutes before they called!) My mail is already configured to download once an hour, so it’s nice to have some data to support this practice.
To find out why all this is worth $650B a year to the US economy, read here:
Slow Down, Brave Multitasker, and Don’t Read This in Traffic
powered by performancing firefox