WAHM Forums

Hi ya'll,

I posted on another board I watch a question about asking for tips on multi-tasking, and someone on there told me that it wasn't a good idea because it causes you to lose focus on what your goals are if you are doing too much at once.

I know for me personally, there are a few things I can multi-task on (like watching/listening to a training video/call and doing a little working out while listening).

I wanted to know some other's opinions on what they do and if they feel it is better and why. Look forward to the responses.

Our brain can only focus on one thing at a time. I really try to stay away from multi-tasking so I can put my full focus into what I'm doing for better results.

When all my kids lived at home, I had to multi-task. What mom doesn't...laundry, cooking, washing dishes, cleaning the toilet. Sure that's okay...often I still do it. It really depends on what you are doing while you are multi-tasking. Listening to one of my kids or helping them with homework are not tasks which you can multi-task with. I think those things deserve your undivided attention, so do most all things concerning anyone in my family (hubby or kids)...BUT can I multi-task while doing the laundry and talking on the phone, or watching TV while I'm crocheting? Certainly!!!! Maybe I'm old, but I think you can do all things (and that means multi-tasking a lot of them) ; you just have to get your priorities right !!!!

I sort of have to multi-task because otherwise I get really anxious. It's just how I am. But I do agree that it's better to focus on one thing at a time.

-Danielle

I prefer to focus rather than multi-task. I get my work done much quicker if I focus on one thing at a time.

I work better when I multi task. Like doing dinner and checking my emails. It could work. Watching tv while folding linen. :)

I prefer to focus - have a task list, and complete things in order of importance, and cross them off. HOWEVER, with the kids at home, multitasking is definately a skill! It seems like I'm interrupted all day long, and there are so many more chores to do when they are here full time.

I love 'em, but when your working a biz from home, running a home, and being mommy all at once, some multi tasking skills come in handy!

I multitask but sometimes wish I didn't. I will get going with so much but won't finish! I will come back to something and won't be able to remember what I was doing.

I always multi-task. In fact, there is no way for me not to multi-task. Between watching TV, sitting with my laptop and researching/posting stuff online, and entertaining the kids, there is no way for me to focus on just a single task.

I can chat and work on projects. I can't listen to a conference call and do other things, because I miss out on to much info. When I'm designing I can chat and listen to music all at the same time. But, when I'm trying to write a php program I have to concentrate on that alone.

Sharron

I can couple just about anything with the computer...eat and type, watch tv and type, play with the kid and type...it's become a necessity really. :)

I like to focus on one thing at a time, but that's not always the case.
I can multi-task if needed too.. But prefer to work on one thing at a time..

Today, being Monday and all, I made a conscious effort to start something and FINISH IT before moving on to the next thing. Yeah, HUGE DIFFERENCE. I think when kids are home (or you have babies) you have no choice but to multi-task. (breastfeeding and IMing anyone? LOL) Or making dinner for the kids while on the phone with a client. But as a full-time WAHM...you need that uninterrupted work time where you can work on one task only, before moving to the next for the most fulfilled feeling at the end of your work day.

Hi! I pefer to do some things at once and frankly speeking I do it pretty well. I like to change the prosess in oder not to be bored and by the way it saves time what is very important for me. I am sure that the way we arange our life depends greatly on our temperament.

I most of the time have to multi task in the evening because I have to help with homework, change diapers, cook dinner, there is hardly anytime for me to watch tv but I have gotten my children on a set time for bed so that I can have that time to myself. I agree with some of the others that when you multi task it is hard for you to focus.

I am definitely a multitasker. I get bored any other way.

It all depends on what I am doing. I am almost always multitasking for things. With 3 kids under 5, you have to! There are certain things tho that require more attention and focus, prayers, personal development, listening to your spouse that I often do not multitask with. Usually. LOL

Well now that I am back in school, I have to focus on both my school work and ghostwriting articles for this one woman I write for. Thank goodness that she has LOTS of work for me to do, as at least for the next few months I don't really have to worry about her not having any other work for me to do since it is my only source of income currently.

Oh, but I DO work on my article writing and school work separately of course-- there is NO way I could do both at the same time :)

Hi JellyBean,
Congrats on taking on two huge responsibilities and with no fear!

I personally multi-task daily, working on my home-based business and in a corporate HR department, but I think it is really imporant to stay focused on the task you are working on because if you spread yourself too thin, you won't be successfull at either tasks.

I would suggest, determining what time you work best at and focus 1 hour ot 2 hours a day (if you can give that much) to the ghostwriting. The rest of your day can be focused on your studies. That way you are giving 100% of your attention to each task at hand.

Hope that helps!!

Lyndsay
ACN Representative
lyndsaybrennan.acnrep.com
email: lyndsaybrennan@acnrep.com

When you have 4 kids, two businesses, a husband, and a dog you have to multi-task to an extent or I would just spin my wheels all day. The key to multi-tasking for me is to be extremely organized. When you're organized multi-tasking is a breeze and you can get so much more done. I feel as women we are just wired that way.
You can still be focused and multi-task you just need to be careful about the organization of it--I have my to do list--now if I lose that I'm in trouble!
Kate Wilber
Resources and Advice for Work at Home Moms — businessmomsblog.com (http://www.businessmomsblog.com)

I think all of life is about trying to strike a balance between the necessity to have to multitask and plucking one specific thing out of that "dogpile", lol, in hopes of actually getting it done...someday! But that's going off into procrastination-land--a place we may opt to inhabit more frequently than not.

That said, I can be both a multitasker wanna-be or a great procrastinator, lol.

Yikes,

Annie

Although I try to multi task I just never am able to give each task at hand the 100% ir requires.

Jeannine

Yes I do multi task and never compromise with my satisfaction. It's my daily job no problem.

I was multi tasking like a crazy person until one day I realized i wasn't as productive. Now I have a set schedule when working at home.

Multi Tasker here. I get bored easily.

I try very hard to focus on just one task at a time, I seem to do a better job. But I am easily distracted and end up multi-tasking. Especially when I am on the phone.

I multi-task. It isn't for everyone though. I don't think just anyone can do it because everyone is different.

I try to focus on one thing.that keeps me away from the danger it may take when your doing a work and your mind is out there...

Great work .. really informative .. and thanks a lot for sharing ..

I have it as my constant goal to play when I play and work when I work. This means that I can't really be paying attention to the boys if there is a laptop in my lap.

I'm the kind of person who takes work on vacations, doesn't really do it but shlepps all the stuff around feeling guilty for not working..... (exception: road trips - best time ever to get work on my laptop done)

So I think my challenge is to make a reasonable list of work to do in addition to a myriad of reactive tasks and then stop when I'm finished for the day.

Wish me luck on that :)

I always multi-task. Just like one of the other members who posted; I don't know how not too! As I am typing this, I have a load of laundry in the washer, one in the dryer, cupcakes for my son's birthday baking (timer is set), monitoring my emails for work, and I am listening to the local news. My work, often requires that I multi-task as well...for instance, I am doing work for one client on the computer however, my phone rings (I help to answer the phone for one of my clients) and I take care of that customer and then go back to the computer work that I was originally working on. Mix in some household chores and that is a normal work day for me!

Well, I try and multi task...but if something seems pretty important, I'll focus on that one thing until it gets done!

I'm doing my best trying to focus on one thing at a time... especially after I read somewhere that multitasking has a similar effect on our IQ as smoking pot :eek:

It depends on what I am working on. If I have my goals clearly written down and a schedule than I can multi-task.

Multi task unfortunately. One thought leads to several which short circuits the brain :-)

Kim

Multitask!

I can multi-task, and usually do, but I know that my best work is when I shut out everything else and give my complete attention to the job at hand -- then I can truly get some major work done!

shyronn

I have to multi-task. With kids, husband, housework, computer, errands, and so on, I cant imagine not doing it.

I dont like muti-tasking though. I would rather do one thing at a time so that I could feel like I have accomplished something before moving on to something else. I feel more tired at the end of the day because I am doing so many things at one time that I feel my work is never done.

I've been doing it for so long now that I cant NOT multi-task. Even at the kids' school or wherever, if I dont have something to do, I'll find something. I can' t just stand there and enjoy doing nothing.

Multitask - way too much of it!

It depends on what the tasks are but I'd say for the most part I multi-task. If the project is complicated or needs my full attention, I can focus but otherwise, I usually have a few things going at once.

Everyday I try to focus on one thing at a time, however, when I have 50 things sitting on my desk, I get side tracked repeatedly. I will be working on one thing, then not finish that and start another and then go back to the other. So I try to put everything else aside and just work on 1 project until its finished, and then get the other project out once that one is done. I am much more productive that way. :p

Multitasking and focusing on one thing each has its advantages. If you are hard pressed for time, multitasking becomes essential. Howver you cannot effectively multitask a job that requires intricate attention.You can focus on one thing if you have much time and the job requires meticulousness.

I definitely multi-task!!! I like to accomplish as much as possible in the least amount of time. That being said, there are certain projects that require extra focus so those, I do one at a time! I think Mom's are definitely pros at multi-tasking! It is built in to most of us!

Good question, I personally try to focus on one thing at a time although I found myself having to really fight off the urge to take on something new or start a new task. I like to do more than one thing a a time but I also know that if I focus on only one thing, I'll be able to produce better results. So I would say, Try not to multi-task. Focus Focus Focus.

Depends on the situation. Sometimes, multitasking is needed especially when faced with a lot of deadlines. However, like some have mentioned above, it's better to focus attention on a single thing so we can be have more productive output.

I am always doing two or more things at once. Even when I am playing a board game with the family I tend to get up and do stuff in-between turns. This has become a bad practice though, because my multi-tasking during TV watching is snacking. That's packing on the pounds so I've started doing crafts while I watch TV to keep my hands busy.

I get way more accomplished when I multi task
Somedays...it might not work in my favor.lol

YES... I like to have a "TO DO LIST" and complete them as I go thru my day. Whatever I do not complete, I rollover to the following day.

I think that the slower you work AND FOCUSED... then faster you will see results! PERIOD!

Oh my gosh I have a list of a million things to do in my head at all times. I think my whole life is multi tasking.