Gerstenmaier On Multi-Tasking

NASA has some strong leadership, and among the top of those ranks, is Bill Gerstenmaier. Gerstenmaier is the Associate Administrator for Space Operations and is the point man who directs NASA’s human exploration of space. Today at the Project Management Challenge, he gave a really great talk entitled “Thinking on the Job: Distractions, Multitasking, and the Erosion of Attention.”  I posted my notes on the #PMC2009 blog, but thought I’d do the same here.  Multi-tasking, or continuous partial attention, has been a subject that has came up quite a bit lately.  Psychologists have experimented on the nature and limits of human multitasking and shown that multitasking is not as workable as concentrated times.  Still, our increasingly complex, and information overloaded world, almost seems to demand it (or at least that’s the perception).  It’s a problem we all share to some extent or another.  I think Gerstenmaier offers some really invaluable insight into the subject so I wanted to share my notes with everyone.  Oh, and Gerst, if you are reading this, I loved your slides! 

Disclaimer: I multi-tasked and wrote this on my blackberry during his presentation.  

Non-renewable resources, time and conscious attention. Are we spending it on the right thing? Priorities. Need to so step back and look at the global level.

What is multitasking? When you switch before a natural break. Problem is that human brain doesn’t switch that quick. You accomplish less, lose efficiency. It may be necessary in today’s world but it doesn’t improve performance.

Some situations call for multitasking. You are probably multi-tasking right now. You need to decide when it makes sense.

There is a lot of unnecessary multi-tasking going on. Its been shown that people in cities are more stressed than people in the country – more distractions, not relaxing. Do we continually overload our senses?  Maybe that’s not good.

Information quantity has nothing to do with it. We probably get to much information. Need to make a conscious limitation.

Information accessibility has everything to do with it. In today’s electronic world you can access information later. Information is no longer hard to get.

There was a time when there was natural limits. In today’s world there are no limits (or at least very few).

You don’t want to let natural selection control what data you see. Don’t multi-task but selectively task.

The result of not selecting is no selection. The quality of data today is not as good. You can now spit information out as fast as you can make it. When it comes to data, quantity is more important than quality. We have to think of ways to select the better data. We have a hard time writing succinct and to the point documents today. Do we really need the extra fluff? We have better bandwidth, but the quality is less.

Talked about a few examples of “the evil of technology.” Does the technology always benefit you the way you think?

Don’t feel like you are going to “miss something.” Focus on what’s important.

Consequences of multi-tasking. Memory less. Studies show falling IQ’s. Effects our work.

What can we do to reduce multi-tasking. Self limit. Make conscious decisions. Take time to take time. Be aware of your limits. Be aware of how you are using your attention. Don’t multi-task around those who deserve your time. Give quality responses. Actively listen.

What if you only checked your email twice a day?

Everything is not urgent or important. Maybe we don’t need “task lists.” Do you really need to be involved in everything?

Think about your environment. Find a place you can think creatively. Use it to enhance your data and help do your work.

Henry David Thoreau once said “Its not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?”