Multitasking - A Time Saver?

by Hava Lyon | More from this Blogger

31 Mar 2007 09:00 AM

I was just reading an article at the New York Times about multitasking, and it made me think about how many tasks I am typically trying to accomplish at the same time. Right now on my computer I have my RSS feed on, so if one of my favorite websites gets updated, I will know right away. I have iTunes playing soft rock music. I have my e-mail on, which I tend to get quite a few e-mails throughout the day. I have a weather bar at the bottom of my browser, updating my weather conditions every 30 minutes for me (not that it matters, because I rarely go outside, but I want to know just in case I suddenly decide that I am not a hermit anymore. Hah.) I have my Gmail calendar set to give me updates when an appointment is coming up, so I get pop-ups from that.

Until I sat and thought about it, I honestly hadn't realized how much "stuff" I have going on all the time. It's good, because I am always informed and up-to-date, but in all reality, what does that information truly do for me? So I know the temperature outside. How does that help me? And it's good to receive e-mails (I wouldn't be able to do my job if I couldn't) but is it really necessary to have it constantly on? The article suggested that e-mail only be checked once an hour. I started to shut Gmail down so I could take that hour-long break...

...And then I remembered the last time I attempted this. I have actually had this same exact train of thought before--I need cut down on the amount of "stuff" I have going on all the time. My goal last time was the same: I will only check my e-mail once an hour. I did try it before--I shut my e-mail off, and started into writing a blog. I started to feel tense inside; my stomach was tightening up, and I felt...just weird. I realized I was worried: Has someone tried to write me? Is there an e-mail in my inbox right now that I have been waiting to receive for the last week? What if there is something important in there, like a bid I should place on a writing project? Through sheer willpower, I held out for another five minutes but I finally folded and reopened my e-mail account a mere ten minutes after closing it. Checking e-mail...

....there was nothing in there. I sighed with relief, and then I realized something: I am obsessed with my e-mail. It isn't so much receiving the e-mails and reading them, as the fact that if it is turned off, I don't know what's in there. I could have an e-mail giving me a million dollars in there (hah.) I could have an e-mail in there from a long-lost friend who I haven't heard from in 10 years. I could have an e-mail in there telling me someone died. There could be an e-mail in there about almost anything, and I can't handle not knowing--the suspense absolutely drives me batty. And I really don't help with that, I promise.

So for now, I am leaving my e-mail and my weather reports and my iTunes all turned on. Thank heavens I don't have IM on here--I would be truly sunk then. Anyone out there fought the multitasking battle and actually won? I would love to hear about it below!

Meanwhile, I'm off to check my e-mail...

Learn more about Hava Lyon

Hello, my name is Hava or Havs (depending on my mood and yours!) I am a freelance writer who writes for several blogs, both paid ones such as this one, and personal blogs.

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