Multitasking is a myth. And we are poorer for trying to do it.

The research shows that we have less productivity, more stress, diminished creativity,  and poorer relationships when we try to do many things at once. And yet, in a hyper-connected world, we can often feel like we have no other choice.

And yet, if we honored how are brains are designed, we would see that singletasking is the answer. That is the message and the research that Devora Zack, author of Singletasking: Get More Done -- One Thing at a Time, wants you to hear. And she gives practical tips about how to do it even in the most frenetic of moments.

Devora is the author of two previous books, Networking for People Who Hate Networking and Managing for People Who Hate Managing, and CEO of Only Connect Consulting. She’s worked with clients at Cornell University, London Business School, and Deloitte, and is a visiting faculty member at Cornell University. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and the Wall Street Journal.

In this interview, we talk about:

The myth of multitasking
How single tasking ups our productivity and creativity and state of flow
Using time shifting to avoid a multitasking mindset
The price we pay for multitasking
The fact that excessive media multitaskers have trouble remembering
Why single tasking requires us to commit to a choice
Tips for starting small with single tasking
The three different ways most of us make sense of the world and why they matter
How accessibility and our need to please can prevent us from single tasking
Why single tasking lets us bring the best version of ourselves to what we do
The fact that some prefer to shock themselves than sit in silence
How device-free staff meetings can increase focus and productivity
A great tip for being more fully present with friends and family
Ways to build fences to prevent interruptions before they occur
The power of cluster tasking with tasks we do daily
What we can do and say when colleagues interrupt us
Tips for open plan offices and colleague interruptions
What team members think and feel about leaders who single task
The connection between happiness and single tasking

Selected Links to Topics Mentioned

@Devora_Zack

http://www.myonlyconnect.com/

Deep Work by Cal Newport

People Prefer Electric Shocks to Being Alone with Their Thoughts

Slow Reading Club

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review it on iTunes. For automatic delivery of new episodes, be sure to subscribe. As always, thanks for listening!

Thank you to Emmy-award-winning Creative Director Vanida Vae for designing the Curious Minds logo, and thank you to Rob Mancabelli for all of his production expertise!

www.gayleallen.net

LinkedIn

@GAllenTC