Comments on: Thoughts on Multitasking http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Wed, 16 May 2012 16:44:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Carrie Neuman http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8237 Carrie Neuman Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:28:53 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8237 I'm still convinced what one previous boss meant by mulitasking was interrupting me constantly. Needless to say, I've developed a bit of an aversion to it. The worst part of it, there is a certain amount of task switching that needs to happen, and I'm still lousy at it. If I'm thinking about project A and I get a call to help with problem B, sometimes I have to stop and talk myself through which program I need to go to to find the information. Then when I finish and go back to project A, I can't even remember my password for the program. My boss calls it "sticky clutch" system, and I'm very jealous of people it doesn't bother. I’m still convinced what one previous boss meant by mulitasking was interrupting me constantly. Needless to say, I’ve developed a bit of an aversion to it.

The worst part of it, there is a certain amount of task switching that needs to happen, and I’m still lousy at it. If I’m thinking about project A and I get a call to help with problem B, sometimes I have to stop and talk myself through which program I need to go to to find the information. Then when I finish and go back to project A, I can’t even remember my password for the program.

My boss calls it “sticky clutch” system, and I’m very jealous of people it doesn’t bother.

]]> By: Lois Hudson http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8238 Lois Hudson Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:28:39 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8238 Sad, but true, I agree. I've learned that the time it takes to settle into one task, i.e. one writing project to another one I want to advance, is not worth the brainfreeze that automatically happens, let alone the brazen situation-jumping of characters from one WIP setting to another where they don't belong. Sad, but true, I agree. I’ve learned that the time it takes to settle into one task, i.e. one writing project to another one I want to advance, is not worth the brainfreeze that automatically happens, let alone the brazen situation-jumping of characters from one WIP setting to another where they don’t belong.

]]> By: Sheila Deeth http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8239 Sheila Deeth Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:55:54 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8239 I remember multi-tasking as a teenager, except we didn't call it that: usually accompanied by "Put that book down while I'm talking to you," or "How can you watch a movie and read a book at the same time." Now my sons do the same thing, successfully, and I think I'm getting old. At the same time, I'm sure motherhood was an apprenticeship to a more active kind of multi-tasking. If Mom's dont' flit from one task to another, kids scream. I remember multi-tasking as a teenager, except we didn’t call it that: usually accompanied by “Put that book down while I’m talking to you,” or “How can you watch a movie and read a book at the same time.” Now my sons do the same thing, successfully, and I think I’m getting old.

At the same time, I’m sure motherhood was an apprenticeship to a more active kind of multi-tasking. If Mom’s dont’ flit from one task to another, kids scream.

]]> By: Pauline Youd http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8240 Pauline Youd Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:40:20 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8240 I am not a multitasker when it comes to writing. If I really want to accomplish anything, I get out of the house, get a mocha and park in a parking lot. My time is well spent in making notes on my characters (I write Bible stories for adults)processing their emotions, and working on dialog. Being outdoors fills my need for dopamine, and the mocha clears out the lingering cobwebs. Both lift my spirit and allow me to create a heartbreaking work of staggering genius. No! Writing and drinking a mocha is not considered multitasking. They are one and the same. I am not a multitasker when it comes to writing. If I really want to accomplish anything, I get out of the house, get a mocha and park in a parking lot. My time is well spent in making notes on my characters (I write Bible stories for adults)processing their emotions, and working on dialog. Being outdoors fills my need for dopamine, and the mocha clears out the lingering cobwebs. Both lift my spirit and allow me to create a heartbreaking work of staggering genius.
No! Writing and drinking a mocha is not considered multitasking. They are one and the same.

]]> By: Angie Breidenbach http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8242 Angie Breidenbach Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:00:31 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8242 Hi Randy, This was a very timely answer to prayer for me. Even though women are able to multitask "better" than men because we are wired that way, I have been struggling with the interruptions and focus. I'm an achiever. That's good and bad. That means I will fight to the finish to achieve something. But distractions are everywhere. Lately, I've been praying for God to take the lead because with all this multitasking, I've lost focus on which project I should be pouring my energy into so that I will achieve the end purpose. I'm working on the creation of a schedule that will allow me to have sections of time to focus on tasks that must be done. Some daily, some weekly, and some as they require attention. But I think the best thing I can do right now is to minimize my distractions and focus in blocks of time. Thank you for a very good reminder about the quality of focus time being the most effective. I think that's where I went off on a tangent lately. I forgot how much time I wasted in switching gears. Angie Hi Randy,
This was a very timely answer to prayer for me. Even though women are able to multitask “better” than men because we are wired that way, I have been struggling with the interruptions and focus. I’m an achiever. That’s good and bad. That means I will fight to the finish to achieve something. But distractions are everywhere. Lately, I’ve been praying for God to take the lead because with all this multitasking, I’ve lost focus on which project I should be pouring my energy into so that I will achieve the end purpose.

I’m working on the creation of a schedule that will allow me to have sections of time to focus on tasks that must be done. Some daily, some weekly, and some as they require attention. But I think the best thing I can do right now is to minimize my distractions and focus in blocks of time.

Thank you for a very good reminder about the quality of focus time being the most effective. I think that’s where I went off on a tangent lately. I forgot how much time I wasted in switching gears.

Angie

]]> By: Sally Ferguson http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8244 Sally Ferguson Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:42:23 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8244 I agree with Sheila; multitasking for moms is a fact of life. Now that my kids are teens, I'm trying to retrain my brain to focus on one thing at a time. I hope it's not too late... I agree with Sheila; multitasking for moms is a fact of life. Now that my kids are teens, I’m trying to retrain my brain to focus on one thing at a time. I hope it’s not too late…

]]> By: Lora Price http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8245 Lora Price Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:12:49 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/02/10/thoughts-on-multitasking/#comment-8245 I am so glad you have posted Randy. I thought you had fallen into a black hole somewhere. My job requires a lot of concentration and if I am interupted it can take me ten minutes to figure out where I was and what I was doing. On the other hand, I can get so absorbed an interuption can be the brain break I really needed. Now having the TV on while I do homework is the only thing that keeps me in my chair at home. Otherwise there is always something that I need to take care of. I am so glad you have posted Randy. I thought you had fallen into a black hole somewhere. My job requires a lot of concentration and if I am interupted it can take me ten minutes to figure out where I was and what I was doing. On the other hand, I can get so absorbed an interuption can be the brain break I really needed. Now having the TV on while I do homework is the only thing that keeps me in my chair at home. Otherwise there is always something that I need to take care of.

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