The Benefits of Multitasking

I was listening to a radio show this past week—or rather half-listening as I answered e-mails—and there was talk about the dangers of multi-tasking.

Is that even really a word, or is that one of those modern creations, like the word "downsizing," which is vaguely propagandistic. Hell, is propagandistic a word? I doubt it. Multi-tasking just means doing a lot at the same time.

Webster's says multitasking has no hyphen and may have been around since 1966. As have I.

So clearly, it's quite a young word.

The radio show was warning us all about the uselessness of doing too many things at once. Reminding us to focus on one thing at a time, and pointing out that multitasking leads us to being less effective and doesn't save us time at all. I was typing an e-mail while charging my phone while checking my Facebook page and listening to the radio, and also keeping an eye on dinner while waiting for a file to upload.

The point of the radio show may be true. But I have been multitasking like a lunatic and I am here to evangelize for poor, battered multitasking.

Sure, you space out on things that you'd normally remember. You start to get giant blanks in your brain when someone asks you a simple question, because your inner hard drive is skipping frantically, trying to sort out who is asking you a question about which project you have going.

But here is the benefit to multitasking.

It's like giving yourself blissful amnesia. It's also helpful when you have a serious need to procrastinate. These may both sound undesirable, but used judiciously, can be helpful tools.

It's like having the side effects of a drug or alcohol habit, without the health problems or loss of control.

Which, if you are like me—paralyzed by too much introspection, contemplation of loss, and disappointment over what seemed like already-low expectations at the time—can be a good thing.

Added bonus? You gets tons of stuff done!

Funny thing about depressing thoughts though... you can multitask yourself into oblivion, but they still find a way in, trying to sneakily incapacitate you. Like when you're walking to the train and trying to strategize how to handle a meeting. Suddenly, your brain screams "He dumped you because you suck!"

Some people might reel and respond to this with wilting or tears.

But I respond by volunteering to help a friend or taking on more freelance. Because obviously, I'm not keeping myself busy enough.

Multitasking can be your friend.