Are you a monotasker or a multitasker?

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:19:35 -0400

Few people can rub their bellies and tap their heads proficiently at the same time. How the hell do they expect to "multitask"? Multitasking is a computer feature, one that allows a single computer processor to handle tasks concurrently. It is accomplished by performing steps in succession because a single processor can only perform one step (one calculation at a time). However, it does them so rapidly that it appears that they are being performed simultaneously. Sadly, when I attempt to multitask, I forget what I was doing as I go from one step in one process to another step in a different process (like doing a crossword puzzle while cooking breakfast - breakfast will be burnt and the puzzle will be destroyed from all the erasures). As we get older, the results are aggravated...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 18 at 2016 2:25 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:25:29 -0400

Strong monotasker here. I have a scratchpad memory; when anything is written to my memory it overwrites anything that was there before.

Response by SGT David T. made May 18 at 2016 2:32 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:32:45 -0400

Multitasking is physically impossible for a human. We can only do one thing at a time. Now I do shift tasks rapidly which is about as close to multitasking a person can be.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 2:35 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:35:49 -0400

Multi-tasker for simple stuff. When it gets really complicated definitely a mono-tasker.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made May 18 at 2016 2:39 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:39:32 -0400

CPT Jack Durish Accomplish first task properly,usually makes the rest easier. Monotasker.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 2:48 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:48:44 -0400

Multi-tasker for sure :)!

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made May 18 at 2016 2:52 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:52:39 -0400

CPT Jack Durish It has been shown that humans are not truly capable of multitasking. We will defer concentration to the simpler or more proficient task regardless of importance. That is why there are so many places looking to ban cellular phone use in cars altogether. The driver can concentrate on the conversation or the road, but not both simultaneously. We will defer to conversation because it is the simpler task to perform. Unless of course dealing with Teenagers, in which case they are incapable of tasking, nevermind multi tasking.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95256794

Think You're Multitasking? Think Again

Don't believe the multitasking hype, scientists say. New research shows that we humans aren't as good as we think we are at doing several things at once — but it also found a skill that gives us an evolutionary edge. Researchers say humans are merely very good at switching their attention from task to task.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 2:54 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:54:25 -0400

Life is juggling clear balls...some are plastic, some are glass-Don't drop the glass ones

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made May 18 at 2016 3:46 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Wed, 18 May 2016 15:46:21 -0400

Multitasking is doing several things poorly instead of one thing well.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 18 at 2016 3:59 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 18 May 2016 15:59:40 -0400

A similar question from a while back, with minimal response, but survey options!:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/do-you-multitask

Do you multitask? | RallyPoint

Some research indicates the human brain is not capable of true multitasking, that rapid task-switching is limited, and that the most effective task-switchers are those performing a simple task and a second, more complex task, preferably one that requires different parts of the brain. The military offers specific high-pressure cases of multitasking/rapid task switching. I'm curious about the thoughts of the RP community. Do you rapid...

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 18 at 2016 4:14 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 18 May 2016 16:14:58 -0400

Depends on the situation.

Response by SGT Kathi Prato made May 18 at 2016 4:23 PM

SGT Kathi Prato — Wed, 18 May 2016 16:23:10 -0400

There is no such thing as multi-tasking. If you're trying to do two things at once you aren't giving everything you have to either task and are ultimately going to miss something in the process. When I have a job interview or am conducting one I always answer that question that exact way (or look for a similar answer from a prospective employee)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 7:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 May 2016 19:09:18 -0400

CPT Jack Durish During my civilian career, I often had to drop what I was working on for a higher priority task. You are more efficient if you can finish one task at a time. Occasionally, I would have a long tedious task that I would take a break from, so I would not go stark raving mad.

Response by PFC Elmer Baysinger made May 18 at 2016 7:50 PM

PFC Elmer Baysinger — Wed, 18 May 2016 19:50:47 -0400

Coming from an old man it's easier to be a monotasker

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made May 18 at 2016 9:34 PM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:34:26 -0400

"I do one thing at a time, I do it very well, and then I move on."
Major Charles Winchester, 4077 MASH

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 11:18 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 May 2016 23:18:11 -0400

Ever watch a squirrel change his mind 5 times about what side of the road he wants to be on? That's what I get like when I try to multitask.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made May 19 at 2016 5:23 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Thu, 19 May 2016 05:23:48 -0400

Very funny cartoon

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2016 3:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2016 15:07:38 -0400

I can multitask if one of them is a background type task. I occasionally multi task when doing the online courses and I need some video to load so I work on another course.

Response by SFC Charles Temm made May 19 at 2016 5:36 PM

SFC Charles Temm — Thu, 19 May 2016 17:36:14 -0400

and wait until they grow up...

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 8:47 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:47:57 -0400

I'm a serial monotasker - and proud of it!! Work actually gets done and on time.