More and more you hear about the studies stating that multitaskers are actually inefficient. Yet, more and more job postings state “must be able to multitask”, should that read, “must be inefficient”?
There is also a recent study that states that texting while driving is dangerous…duh! This is multitasking at its finest. There is really no way for you to simultaneously watch the road, create a message (requiring thought), and type it on an itty bitty keyboard.
Certainly there isn’t an easy solution to this dilemma when imposed by others, however, when self-imposed, we do have the ability to correct and find FOCUS.
Focus can be short, clumps of time, when you work exclusively on one project, idea, campaign, target. This prevents the need to switch back and forth between different and frequently unrelated thoughts.
In speaking with one job seeker about her search activities she had identified 2 completely different paths, sales and direct service. As she interviewed and tried to start up a direct service business, neither got the full attention they needed to be successful. She couldn’t give the activities the attention they required and as a result, neither turned out the way she had hoped.
Another example is a talented women who has developed a portfolio career around her talents as a writer and a marketing guru. She struggles to give the various “assignments” the attention she feels they deserve. Not only is this frustrating for her (a woman with high standards), it also hasn’t allowed her to FOCUS on one with enough due diligence to make it as financially successful as she would like.
Again, no easy answers.
Life is a balancing act. It is moving incredibly fast. Finding a FOCUS and making it work is the challenge we are all faced with. Being all things to all people is similar to trying to teach a pig to sing.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
