Pay Attention. No, I Mean Really.
Posted by Liz Strauss · 12 Comments
Multitasking is on its way out for me. I’ve suspected for sometime it was a major source of what made me tired and cranky. I wasn’t getting more done. I was just doing more at the same time. The proof is in. Doing many things at once is not efficient. It’s ruining us.
Well, at least it was ruining me.
I had started to take seriously the idea that I was developing an attention deficit of some sort.
Continuous Partial Attention. That’s what it’s called, Continuous Partial Attention — CPA. Keeping our eyes and ears alert to everything. Always scanning the information in the foreground, the midground, and the background, in case something we need to know might pop onto our radar screens — we have more than one screen to check, you know.
It works when what we’re doing is routine. It’s disastrous, if what we’re doing requires reflection, concentration, or humanity.
“Excuse me, son, what did you say about bleeding?”
Along with the scanning comes the anxiety that we might miss something. We must stay connected . . . we can’t miss anything. Linda Stone spoke of this in a recent interview with Stephen Levy at Newsweek.
. . . there’s a problem in the workplace when the interruptions intrude on tasks that require real concentration or quiet reflection. And there’s an even bigger problem when our bubble of connectedness stretches to ensnare us no matter where we are. A live BlackBerry or even a switched-on mobile phone is an admission that your commitment to your current activity is as fickle as Renée Zellweger’s wedding vows. Your world turns into a never-ending cocktail party where you’re always looking over your virtual shoulder for a better conversation partner. The anxiety is contagious . . .
I’ve taken to doing one thing at a time these days, and I find I’m getting more things done and done with fewer errors.
I’m breathing slower and liking myself better.
I had only been thinking that multitasking might be the problem until I read Marianne Richmond’s blog article, Giving and Getting Attention. It was so in line with what I was thinking; I had to act on it.
A blog and a blog writer moved me to a more quality life. How could that happen?
Liz Strauss
So, I guess i wasn’t paying attention and missed this post. Thanks for the call out! I am afraid I am still struggling with the dual issue of giving attention and paying attention to one thing at a time, aka multi-tasking. Hope you are doing better!
Marianne
Case in point, I wrote a partial Technorati comment to the thread on Successful Blogs, apparently got interupted and never finished it and didn’t even remember until a moment ago.
Hi Marianne,
I do so love the piece you wrote. I can how all of my gushing might have gotten you caught between the signal and the noise. I just wanted to be sure that as many people as I knew were aware that it esxisted, because I’ve been using it as the impetus to change my life.
It’s been working, too. I find I am much happier and a slower, more thoughtful speller.
Liz, I am happy that you found it worthwhile…now perhaps the fact that it served as an impetus for you can serve as an impetus for me.
Thanks!
Marianne
Marianne,
If that means that you’re finding a slower, happier, more quality life. I’m all for it. I don’t think you need the spelling practice.
Liz
I’m so glad this modern myth is starting to unravel. I have known so many people who boast about their ability to multitask yet they do subpar work. Their ability to do more at one time seemed more of an accomplishment than doing quality work. I knew a girl who drew while watching TV and yet she was frustrated with her work. It was simply amazing to me.
One thing I have learned about dealing with my AD/HD is that I cannot do more than one thing at a time if I want to succeed. I need to focus on only one thing at a time. Maybe in this regard AD/HD has been a blessing because in this world where multitasking is considered a strength I was forced to wise up just to survive.
Great post. Thanks.
~Douglas
-=-
The Splintered Mind – Overcoming Neurological Disabilities With Lots Of Humor And Attitude
Liz,
Where did you say that slower, happier, more quality life was? I’m all for it too…just not sure where it is.
As for spelling practice….well I am always practicing. Spell check and Webster on line help….but of course paying attention has a role there too.
Marianne
Hi Douglas,
Thank YOU for your comment. I am so much better at what I do now that I’ve stopped trying to do everything all at once. I’ve said for years that if you think you can do more than is humanly possible then you are a snob, because none of the rest of us humans can . . . and yet, I fell victim to the multitasking beast myself just like rest of us.
I’m so much nicer now.
Hey, Marianne,
I was just answering Douglas when your comment arrived.
The slower, happier, more quality life for me is in doing one thing at a time and realizing that what I’m missing is not worth worrying about.
As for me, I do allow one bit of double tasking – reading coffee while sipping postings (or something like that)! Thanks for shedding light on an important reality for us all.
HI CB,
Are they supposed to be two things? Oh no!
In my world, coffee and reading blogs are one thing. They just go together.