Why Multitasking Is A Myth

I am not sure if there is a “universal lesson” on time management. I can talk about my individual experience. (Obviously) I cannot talk about others. I think the expression “multitasking” is grossly overused, is grossly misunderstood and it is simply not true.

Multitasking is Deceptive
Someone may seem to be doing 20 different things at the same time, but at one point in time, he is actually doing only one thing.

Through the day, I may seem to be doing 20 different things, but at one moment, I am doing one thing.

The appearance of multitasking is deceptive.

Lessons are Personal
The most important time management lesson that has worked for me may not work for everyone. It’s very easy to preach. It’s not very easy to learn.

How I learnt it (the art of time management), I have absolutely no idea. It happened over a period of time.

If I were to explain it, it would be like this: When I am doing something, at one point, I am focused on only one thing -- the rest doesn’t exist.

My Average Working Day
To give a concrete example: On an average working day, in the morning, I skim though about 14 different newspapers. So, if you call me then, I will not take your call.

While going through the papers, I also give instructions – ‘do this work’, ‘do that work’.

I spend around ten minutes to do limericks. Again, then, nothing else exists.

When I come here (at EAC-PM office, at Niti Aayog), it is only work related to EAC-PM. I don’t take calls then.

Then, I don’t take work home.

From 6.30 pm to 8 pm, it’s my translation time. I don’t take calls then. All other work during that time can wait.

This is essentially my time management formula. It is about carving out slots. So that you are not distracted.

Skills that Save Time
I come from a generation where computers didn’t exist. So, I learnt to type. I type myself, and my typing speed is fairly fast. Perhaps because I have worked with papers and magazines, I don’t give it a second glance (to something that I have finished writing).

Finally, It’s All About Focus
In some meetings, I have seen, there are distractions. When I am meeting someone, as per a schedule, no one will barge in. This kind of compartmentalisation is difficult to do.

I fundamentally think this is a question of focus. But, as I said, it’s very easy to preach, but very difficult to learn.