Are You Still Multi-Tasking?

Americans love to multi-task. There's something so wonderful about the idea of eating lunch, working on the computer and talking on the phone all at once. It makes us feel so productive and so useful.

Again and again research has shown that multi-tasking actually cuts down on the ability to get things done. A British study showed that while multi-tasking IQ goes down by ten points. Other studies show that talking on the phone while driving (even with a hands free headset) has the same effect as driving drunk.

The New York Times has a good article http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/technology/01distracted.html?pagewanted=5&hp about using your car as an office while driving. Talking on the phone, emailing, texting, etc. The dangers are tremendous. Of course people think it increases their productivity, but one of the most interesting parts of the article is that companies which have banned talking on the phone, emailing, texting, etc. have shown no loss of productivity. So multi-tasking while driving is not only dangerous but doesn't make work faster, better or more productive.