I’m still reading The 4-Hour Work Week. Today I was stuck by Tim’s abhorrence of multi-tasking.
He’s right on this one. There’s a mindset in our culture that venorates the busy. The more you can do at once, the better.
I call bullshit.
Imagine the busy executive. Arms flailing, a phone tucked under his chin, a Blackberry clacking in one hand and a mouse in the other, he’s doing four things at once. What a machine! He is the envy of the working world.
I see a guy who’s doing four jobs poorly. Specifically, he’s giving each project 1/4 the attention it deserves. Now, I know that it’s impossible to remain laser-focued on one task all day long (for instance, I’m eating as I type this), but you can do it 90% of the time.
The middle of the book has become a business/economics class, which isn’t what I was expecting, but I’m going to stick with it.
Dave,
I agree with you. There really isn’t any such thing as multitasking — except for computers and even that doesn’t work well. For humans it’s like the old 70s processors — we time share. We slice up our most precious resource and share it sparingly among tasks and people.
Multitasking is a made up BSism.
Stick with the book, but realize it’s written by a 30-something with no family or other ties. Bali, sure, except the kids need to be in school this week. Take the *lessons* not the actions.
ahg3