Multitasking is for Computers Not Humans

photo credit: Markus Winkler https://www.instagram.com/m23/

If you don’t believe that multitasking is for computers only and not for humans, then let’s think about it another way. How many things can you complete at one time? Think of the ending of a task. You can only finish or complete one thing at a time. 
 
I’ve read before that the term multitasking originated in the 1960’s with the proliferation of computers. Over time, this word has seeped into our everyday vocabulary and has become an ideal for employees to be or do at work--be a multitasker (noun and adjective 🧐) who is multitasking (verb). 
 
Anyway, you might think you are a multitasker who performs multitasks by multitasking, but do you enjoy it? When your focus is split among multiple things at one time, it’s usually stressful and not the ideal or preferred way of being or doing. That may even be the definition of stress: having too much to do and/or focus on at one time without the resources or ability to deal with things one at a time. 
 
When your focus is on one thing at a time, you can relax into it, think, arrive at a resolution, and peacefully complete the task at hand. Aah, now that is better. 

​Tracy Hunt, MSEd, LPCC
Turning Inward Counseling | Individual therapy for adults in Ohio