Saturday, January 31, 2015

Multitasking

I signed up for the bluefeet newsletter because I like it and I learn from it. Bluefeet was founded by Lilli Cloud "to help people achieve their potential by capturing and communicating what makes them and their work extraordinary." Scroll to the bottom of any page of the bluefeet website and sign up if you want to get the newsletter, too.

This time around, Lilli and her staff sent a newsletter entitled, "Getting Your Flow On." They included a link to an article about multitasking. It says multitasking is bad for your brain.

I don't know if that's true. I get my flow on in multiple ways, all at the same time.

When John comes home and I'm nowhere to be found—the bed is half-made, some of the dishes are put away, the bathtub is squeaky clean but not the bathroom floor—I'm probably in the garage because that's where the filing cabinet is.

If multitasking is bad for my brain, that could explain the roots of my noun problem. I often have to grapple to find the word I'm looking for. I always stumble over "Brussels sprouts" and "sideboard," for example. I have no idea why these in particular give me trouble. Sometimes when I write and the word I want is not available, I write OWTTE (or words to that effect) or FABW (find a better word) and move on, hoping it'll come to me while I'm editing. It usually does. (It has to. I'm not finished until it does.)

I had a little trouble understanding the multitasking article because I had to switch screens between paragraphs to read another article I was reading about  the dwarf planet Ceres. Did you know it gets up to -28 degrees Fahrenheit up there? Hey, I've spent winters in Chicago. -28F is livable! Or it would be, if Ceres had an atmosphere. I don't remember anything else about the article but it gave me something to do between paragraphs in the multitasking piece.

I used to think my multitasking was a talent but now I know it's frenzied (FABW). It's time for me to buckle down, concentrate and focus (OWTTE), or I'll never GTD (get things done).


20 comments:

Maya said...

I am not a multitask-er. One thing at a time! :)

Petrea Burchard said...

That's great, Maya! Obviously your brain is in good shape.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

What's interesting is to leave town without a computer or any access to the net. I guarantee you, despite the glories of nature etc, you will go through withdrawals.

The net has changed our thinking process and turned everyone ADD.

JMHO LOL ; )

Petrea Burchard said...

No iPhone, PA? You are brave. You are also more experienced at getting out of town than I am.
I take my phone on unfamiliar hikes, not for chatting but for the compass, the weather report, etc.
You're right, though, we're all ADD now. I'm addicted to my email.

William Kendall said...

I remember the remark somewhere last winter about it being warmer on Mars than some spots in North America.

Wilma looks content.

Petrea Burchard said...

Has it been as bad this winter, William? I haven't heard much news about it, but winter's not over yet.

Bellis said...

Thank you so much for the laughs. You should be a comedy writer. Oh, you already are! I suffer terribly if I leave my smartphone behind, but scientists tell me it's the reason I can't focus on anything. What was I saying?

Anonymous said...

Your image is my kind of multitasking ;-)

Petrea Burchard said...

Hee hee, Bellis, you're a comedy writer, too!

Llandudno, it is my goal in life.

Denise said...

Since my stroke, I CANNOT multitask. It is just not possible. It's been interesting.

Petrea Burchard said...

That IS interesting, Denise. Maybe your brain has chosen to force you to focus. I wonder if there have been any studies on this.

Margaret said...

Very funny. I'd write more but also juggling right now. Oranges that is.

Petrea Burchard said...

Margaret, you're one of the best multitaskers ever.

Anonymous said...

You know I'm totally down with the big W.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Great photo and very interesting post!
Now I'm off to follow the bluefeet link.

Petrea Burchard said...

We all are, Karin, and I got a picture of John being down with her.

Thank you, Nathalie, I hope you enjoy Lilli's site.

Margaret, in light of what I said about multitasking it occurs to me that my response to you might appear to be an insult. But I assure you, I admire your ability to juggle.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hmm. Nope.

Anonymous said...

According to my neuropsychology book, multitasking is a myth; the brain can only concentrate on one thing at a time. What we're really doing (and lord knows, I'm guilty) is flitting from one thing to another.

Petrea Burchard said...

That makes sense. Maybe what the article is telling me is that when I flit, I don't flow.

Ms M said...

Good post -- I'm guilty of "flitting" also. I have to manage multitasking for my jobs.
But now, inspired by John, I think I'll lie on the couch next to my cat :-)