Multi-Tasking Reduces Output
Pareto's 20/80 law says that 20% of your effort produces 80% of the value of your output. Conclusion: focus on this 20%. If you are focusing, you are not multitasking.
Rev. Tim Stevens is the author of several books on leadership. He offers lots of simple but practical advice.
In a recent email, he extracted a section from his book, Fairness Is Overrated, which I read a week ago. He talks about meetings where people keep picking up their smartphones. They are not really engaged with the meeting. So, why hold the meeting?
This triggered a thought: "If you are multitasking, neither task is important." Anything not worth a tight focus is not important. Postpone it.
Here is his recommendation: everyone at a meeting should turn off his smartphone, including the vibrating silent ringer. Pay attention. As he says, "Be where you are."