In a Forbes article recently it referenced a study by Stanford University that has caused much debate in the workplace. The study found that if you multitasked, you will suffer brain and career damage.
Researchers say the people who are regularly bombarded with streams of information, cannot pay attention, recall information, or switch seamlessly between multiple tasks.
I would caution the researchers with this question, “Did any of you have mothers?” I remember the story of a mother who recited what she did in a day. When she finished her list of daily Herculean tasks, the questioner asked, “What do you do in your free time?” To which she replied, I go to the rest room.”
Who has a choice today on whether you can have or not have one task at a time? I’m surprised we all don’t wear dust mops on our shoes so we can accomplish one more task in our day. Like all of you, I’ve become adept at efficiency. See how many of these things you do like me on a daily basis? Feel free to add to my list.
1. I have 30 phone numbers to reach my whole family of about 11.
2. I have so many pin numbers to remember I’ve accidentally entered a PIN number on my microwave.
3. I’ve texted my wife while in the same house.
4. I mostly stay in touch with friends and family only if they have e-mail addresses.
5. I’ve pulled up in the driveway and used my cell phone to see if anyone is home to help me carry in the groceries.
6. I’ve checked my bank account via my cellphone so I know how much I can spend at Taco Bell.
Maybe there is some relevancy to this study as evidenced by the following story. A fella walked into a doctor’s office and the receptionist asked him what he had. “Shingles,” he said. So she took down his name, address and medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.
Fifteen minutes later a nurse’s aid came out and asked him what he had. “Shingles,” he said. So she took down his height, weight, complete medical history and told him to wait in the examining room.
A half-hour later a nurse came in and asked him what he had. “Shingles,” he said. So she gave him a blood test, a blood pressure test and an electrocardiogram. Then she told him to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.
An hour later the doctor came in and asked him what he had. “Shingles,” he said. The doctor said, “Where?”
He said, “Outside in the truck. Where do you want them?”
Enthusiasm is Contagious 