What is multitasking?
Multitasking is the process of performing multiple tasks simultaneously. Although this seems pretty straightforward, other components come into play: context switching and attention residue.
Context switching is when the individual who is multitasking work switches from one task to another. Unfortunately, this can cause them to lose focus on a single task.
Attention residue is the aftereffect of context switching. After performing multiple tasks simultaneously or in quick succession, an individual’s mind will still be lingering on the previous piece of work.
Examples of multitasking skills
Some examples of multitasking at work are an administrative assistant taking calls and booking appointments while greeting clients as they walk in or a food server taking multiple customer orders while they’re helping to bus tables and interacting with coworkers.
The pros of multitasking
- Multitasking work allows an employee to increase their productivity. Rather than perform one job duty at a time, a worker can complete up to several tasks either simultaneously or in rapid succession.
- Aside from saving time, multitasking can save a business money. If you have one employee able to perform multiple tasks in a short amount of time, this can cut back on the need for excessive staffing.
- An employee who has strong multitasking skills is less likely to procrastinate. They will be so engrossed in completing their assignments, making it difficult to leave things on the back-burner or shirk their job duties.
- Steady workflow and consistency are other benefits of effective multitasking skills. When an employee sets a constant pace without interruptions, they are able to complete tasks in steady succession. When they are deeply involved in their work, they are less susceptible to outside distractions.
- A worker with strong multitasking skills is much more valuable to the company overall. They are more likely to get noticed by their superiors and be considered for promotions, advancements and special projects.
The cons of multitasking
- Although multitasking can produce many benefits, there are also some drawbacks. For instance, the quality of work may decline due to the employee trying to complete multiple tasks all at once and not being thorough. Rushing through tasks or performing them with rapidity can lead to oversights of important details.
- Multitasking without maintaining a proper work-life balance can also lead to increased mental and emotional health issues. Stress, anxiety and burnout can begin to manifest themselves if the employee is overwhelmed with an abundance of job duties. All this overtime can lead to employee turnover, which can be detrimental to both employees and staff.
- Multitasking work can lead to a lack of interpersonal relationships as well. In today’s digital world, it is easy for people to get lost in their computer screens, neglecting the human aspect of communication and relationships. This can negatively impact not only client relations but the company culture as a whole.
- Decreased memory function is another potential downside of multitasking. The constant flow of information into the employee’s mind can cause them to process too much information too quickly. This can lead to jumbling tasks together, as well as forgetting critical duties and assignments.
