When my (next to) last boss left the "Operations Center" that I worked at, he left a little advice for the individual who would replace him. I remember a conversation in which he (the new guy) stated that I was not necessarily pivotal to the function of the "Ops Center". All I could do was laugh...out loud. Which I did...a lot.
Shortly before my laugh ended, he decided that it was the time to interdict with the observation of my previous boss, and opine that I did not "Multitask Well". Believe me that this relevation did not dissolve my mirth to any degree. It was no more than three weeks from that time when I turned in my resignation.
Now I'm not saying he was wrong, because I really do not multi-task well, but the things that I do "Uni-task", I do well and correctly. I prefer to finish "Dicking one Dog" before moving on to the next one. If you give me an extremely complex task, I will focus my intellect on it, until it is properly completed. I have yet to see a situation where this was a negative trait.
Not to brag (Yeah Right), but I created the same report with MSExcel, that the software that the "Company" purchased for multiple millions of dollars, did. The exact same data was used. Even before this system was iimplemented, my boss was asking for copies of this report. After I showed it to him, he said something to the effect of "that's cool" and dropped the subject. Little did he know that it took me four hours out of my eight hour shift to compile this particular piece of data. He looked at me like I'd "screwed his grandmother" when I told him that I didn't have the reports he wanted. Along with every other extremely complex thing that he ever asked me to do.
What I'm trying to say here is that I really don't multi-task well. I consider my brain as a "Spotlight". IF you give me a subject to ponder upon, (and it interets me)I will focus my entire attention upon it.
I really want to continue this thought, but I've been drinking a bit too much to do so properly, so I'll conclude this later.
Posted by Johnny - Oh at August 13, 2004 12:16 AMInteresting post. I'm similar in that... OO! Shiny thing!... I tend to do one thing at a time to completion and... OO! Sparkly!... just keep going, refusing to let myself be distracted by...OO! Pretty birdie!... other things until I'm done.
Posted by: Harvey at August 13, 2004 01:52 PMWell, multi-tasking depends upon the task. For instance today - so far - I'm in the process of running 18 reports, creating their spreadsheets, fixing a printer, creating a counts list, creating a few inventories for others to run jobs with, etc. Now I can do all that because none of these require that I give my whole attention to it.
If I have to write a program, THEN I wouldn't be able to do any of that other stuff. When I program I have to concentrate on that alone or I WILL screw up the logic somewhere. Or if I talk on the phone, I simply can NOT type. If I'm on the phone with you and you hear typing... you know I'm not hearing a single thing you say *grin*.
So, multi-tasking depends on the task. Things done by rote without thought can be done all at once. Anything requiring real working brain power... no way.
Posted by: Teresa at August 13, 2004 04:04 PMI was going to tease you and say you couldn't mulit-task because you're a man! :) We women joke all the time that our husbands cannot multi-task.
That said, they just did a big study at either Harvard or MIT, and I think it was MIT, that said that multi-tasking was bad and inefficient. So, the experts say you're good and efficient. I think. Maybe I made that up. Or dreamt it. :)
Posted by: Boudicca at August 13, 2004 10:36 PMI agree with (Whoever's) study about the multi tasking thing, Bou. IF you want it done right, start it and finish to completion before starting something new.
If it's up to me, I'd rather do one thing right, than do 12 things wrong.
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at August 14, 2004 12:42 AM