Multitasking (originally posted on 10/17/07)

I googled the word multitasking and was presented with multiple definitions somewhat like this one -
Definition: a powerful feature of modern operating systems that allows processors to work on more than one application at a time to achieve faster, more efficient operation.

So...after reading through the definitions, I started to ask myself why I continually attempt to operate in 'multitasking' mode if the only thing that actually has the ability to multitask is a computer?? Yet, I am almost ALWAYS trying to do this successfully.

When I'm in the office, I make small personal lists of things to do in the margin of my legal pad and take a few minutes here and there to finish them, so technically, I'm not just focused on work even when I'm with my client. Then, at home, it gets really ridiculous. I throw in loads of laundry, empty the dishwasher, finish painting the kitchen and all sorts of other things in between participating in conference calls, writing and replying to emails, drafting my project deliverables, and trying to act professional and put together even though I am gesturing wildly at Brady and Avery to get out of my office and stop arguing until I get off the phone!

And then, on the days I'm supposed to be 'off', I'm still playing catch-up. Except on those days, I'm multitasking with a 2-year old helper. So, I set Nora up at the coffee table with books and puzzles, then run around the corner to check my work email and voicemail. When I return, I don't find her where I left her. Instead she's out in the garage dumping sidewalk chalk into the spot where the dog's water bowl used to be. Hmmm..."what are you doing, Nora?" "I don't know". I really don't know what she's doing either, except now the dog bowls are missing and I'm cleaning up wet chalk while I scoot her back in the house and try to ignore the rest of the mess I should clean up in the garage because, frankly, I don't have any more multitasking slots left for that.

The question remains - am I really getting anything done with this approach? Maybe I'm just really good at fooling a lot of people with the smoke and mirrors I need to pull this off. I recently read actual research that says that corporate Americans are not really getting any more done with the multitasking approach than the generation before them who functioned quite well without email, instant messenger, cell phones, PDAs, you name it. So, how do I eliminate the frustration of multitasking from my life? I love my job and my family, so what's a working mom to do? Feel free to comment with your free advice/therapy on this topic. I need it!