The Myth of Multitasking: How "Doing It All" Gets Nothing Done - Hardcover

Crenshaw, Dave

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470372257 ISBN 13: 9780470372258

Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub, 2008

Synopsis

In a compelling business fable, The Myth of Multitasking confronts a popular idea that has come to define our hectic, work-a-day world. This simple yet powerful book shows clearly why multitasking is, in fact, a lie that wastes time and costs money. Far from being efficient, multitasking actually damages productivity and relationships at work and at home.

About this title

About the Author

Dave Crenshaw is a business coach and founder of Fresh Juice Strategy. He coaches and trains CEOs and management teams worldwide. Crenshaw is a graduate of Brigham Young University's Marriot School of Management and a frequent keynote speaker.

From the Back Cover

Praise for The Myth of Multitasking

"If every busy professional could internalize Crenshaw'smessage in this book, we'd all get much more done in less time."
Gina Trapani, lead editor, Lifehacker.com; and author, Upgrade Your Life

"Every great CEO and rainmaker needs this book!"
Jeffrey J. Fox, author, How to Become a Rainmaker

"A fresh take on the problem of timewasters in ourcorporate and personal lives, The Myth of Multitasking willchange your paradigm about what is productive and what is not.I loved the concept of 'switchtasking' versus multitasking.A must-read for all."
Hyrum Smith, co-founder, Franklin Covey;and CEO, Galileo

From the Inside Flap

The Myth of Multitasking

"Remember this rule: the more responsibility you have, the more hats you wear, the more likely you are to become inefficient."

In a compelling business fable, The Myth of Multitasking confronts a popular idea that has come to define our hectic, work-a-day world. This simple yet powerful book shows clearly why multitasking is, in fact, a lie that wastes time and costs money. Far from being efficient, multitasking actually damages productivity and relationships at work and at home.

In his groundbreaking book, management expert Dave Crenshaw offers clear solutions for dealing with today's information-saturated world. He shows what to do when interrupted by co-workers and how to deal with distracting electronic communications such as e-mail and phone messages. Written with wit and a healthy dose of wisdom, The Myth of Multitasking helps business leaders and employees

• Recognize why multitasking is a false construct

• Understand the difference between background-tasking and switchtasking

• Create a new and realistic weekly budget forusing time

• Schedule recurring appointments withkey people

For anyone who has difficulty focusing on the task at hand or paying attention to others when they are speaking, The Myth of Multitasking is an invaluable resource.

Reviews

The growth of email and text messages, among other innovations, has made time management at work more of a challenge. Keeping up with all of this simultaneous communication can become counterproductive. Business coach Crenshaw (founder, Fresh Juice Strategy) addresses the myths about multitasking and argues that it can in fact cost valuable time to employees. Crenshaw frames his book in the form of a fictional case study: "Phil," a consultant, is about to meet with the manager of retail clothing chain "GreenGarb: Clothes Mother Nature Intended" about improving employees' time management skills. Crenshaw's point is that the notion of multitasking is a false construct that costs both time and money. In fact, employees are "switch tasking" (switching back and forth between two or more tasks). Crenshaw claims that "background tasking" (doing two or more tasks, with only one of them requiring mental effort) could be more efficient and effective. Currently, employees lose time owing to interruptions by coworkers, distractions from new technologies, lack of attention to colleagues when they are speaking, and juggling home and work. The author also provides exercises for employees to measure their efficiency and effective use of time. Bibliographic citations are included, but a glossary would have been helpful. Overall, readable and thought-provoking; recommended for public and academic libraries.—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ., Jamaica, NY
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Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0470372257
• ISBN 13: 9780470372258
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 138