Focus can be a good thing

[puppetmaker]

There was a time that when you were working on something at work that was what you were doing. Then came this idea that humans have the capacity to do more than one task at a time and therefore be more efficient. Thus the great myth of Multi-tasking was born and given our overloaded minds from all the stuff we think we can do at the same time and the means to do it, many felt guilty when they realized that they were not good at multi-tasking.

Well feel guilty no more since there is now a study that proves that we are not as good at this as we thought we were. In fact the human brain learns much better when focusing on one thing at a time. So talking on the cell phone and driving at the same time is not a good idea according to this study. They did say that having a conversation with another individual in the car is not the same as talking on an electronic device. I think we can extend this to putting on make-up while driving (a thing I will never understand) and eating while driving (although I think that takes less brain and more coordination). They found that especially while studying to learn something new, focus on that task and that task alone will allow you to absorb the information. They did state that they did not look at how having music or the TV on in the background affects this sort of thing. I think music would be less intrusive than the TV.

I have done the multitasking thing and I can juggle it pretty well when needed but I do know that it takes a lot out of me. I use to have to do 6 things at once at rehearsal and I could do it but I was drained by the end of rehearsal and needed a nap to recharge which is hard to do when you have a show that evening. I am glad that I don't do that as often as I did.

Now there is some natural multitasking that happens when you have kids. Right now I am typing for my entry for the day and paying attention to what Caroline is up to and what she needs. This leads to some broken trains of thought but I can usually pick-up off of what I was doing and get back on a roll again.

But it is nice to know that it was not just me that didn't like having to do six things at once.

I am grateful that I can multi-task but am more grateful when I can just focus.

Comments

[nakednatalie.livejournal.com]

Too many distractions makes me IRRITABLE.

[readinggeek451]

Amen!

[readinggeek451]

I seem to remember a study done about 20-25 years ago that showed that, if you learn something while listening to music, you recall it better with the same (or similar) music playing. So listening to music while studying for a test is only a good idea if you can also play music while taking the test (not too likely!).

I often have the stereo on in the background while reading. Doesn't seem to hurt my concentration any, but I don't really remember the music.

I also play music--and even sing along--while sewing, but that's an entirely different channel of the brain and doesn't interfere.