In today's society, it seems that multi-tasking is either a way of life, or an impossibility. There are various articles and techniques about how to better multi-task or about why you should never multi-task. Here's the long and short of it, simply put: Multi-tasking is both a blessing and a curse.
I sat down to write this week's article surrounded by things I needed to do - most of them still on the to-do list. It was then that I realized just how much I multi-task and just how much it not only helps but hurts me. In theory, getting a better grasp on time management would help me not to have to multi-task so much. Again, in theory, I would have better quality work if I stopped multi-tasking and focused solely on one task at a time. Here's the thing though; I've tried that - I've tried focusing on only one task at at time and it doesn't really work for me.
The way my brain is wired, I am at my most productive when I am multi-tasking. I am able to work on one task until I get to a sticking point or until I can no longer focus, switch to another task and then rinse and repeat. The way my brain works, if I pidgenhole myself into one spot or one task, I get frustrated with what I am working on more easily and I am more prone to giving up. Multi-tasking allows me to spread my energy and focus and ultimately I end up getting more done. That said, unfortunately that is not always the case.
For me, multi-tasking becomes detrimental when I am in the middle of a bipolar episode. Bipolar episodes make me more prone to frustration and feelings of failure, especially when it is a depressive episode. During the depressive episodes, I have much less motivation than I normally do and even accomplishing one task is a challenge, let alone multiple tasks at the same time or in the same time frame. Those are the days I need to be kind to myself and when I need to remind myself that just because I may not accomplish everything I had hoped to that day, does not mean the day is a waste or that I am a failure.
During the manic episodes, I have far more energy and motivation than I do on a normal day. Those are the days when I end up starting multiple projects at once and nine times out of ten none of the projects get 100% completed. Often times, these projects are put on the back burner on normal days and I don't go back to them until I have a surge of motivation - most likely another manic episode. During manic episodes, mulit-tasking is a great skill to have, but it tends to backfire on me when the mania wears off.
Multi-tasking, when gone about in a smart way, can be very helpful. Now, when I say a smart way, that is not to say there is only one way to go about multi-tasking. The smart way depends on how you function best - what works for me likely will not work for everyone. It comes down to knowing yourself and how you function best.
