"A fresh take on the problem of time wasters in our corporate and personal lives, "The Myth of Multitasking" will change your paradigm about what i...
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Mar 16, 2009
I picked up "The Myth of Multitasking" because it looked interesting and I needed a quick read. Little did I know that I would learn so much and that it would pertain so directly to me.
The author explains how it isn't possible for humans to do two things at once. It may look like two things are being done at once, but we can really only concentrate on one thing.
What most people do is switch between multiple tasks. This wastes time and we don't do as good of a More...
The author explains how it isn't possible for humans to do two things at once. It may look like two things are being done at once, but we can really only concentrate on one thing.
What most people do is switch between multiple tasks. This wastes time and we don't do as good of a More...
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Nov 21, 2009
Tiffany
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This is a fabulous book that everyone should read at least once. It takes an hour or two at the most.
It's written in story form (like "E-Myth" or "The One Minute Manager"). "Phil" is a business coach who is helping "Helen" regain control and organization in her business. He takes her through a series of exercises (included in the back of the book) to show how multitasking takes MORE time than focusing on one thing at a time, and that it d More...
It's written in story form (like "E-Myth" or "The One Minute Manager"). "Phil" is a business coach who is helping "Helen" regain control and organization in her business. He takes her through a series of exercises (included in the back of the book) to show how multitasking takes MORE time than focusing on one thing at a time, and that it d More...
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Apr 05, 2010
Rachelterry
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Multitasking is actually "switch tasking" because you can't technically do two things at the same time. When you attempt to multitask, you do things poorly and actually take longer. That's the whole book! I just saved you an hour.
It's a good point, but it could have been deftly handled in a magazine article. There are some copy editing problems.
It's a good point, but it could have been deftly handled in a magazine article. There are some copy editing problems.
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Jan 10, 2009
Elevate Difference
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Along the business-model-turned-story line of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, The Myth of Multitasking is a fairly predictable read that can be summed up by its title. If you think there’s more to the story than understanding multitasking as a myth, you’re technically right. But the story only consists of about three main points—namely, understanding why multitasking is a lie, how to differentiate between background-tasking and switchtasking, and how to handle your schedule now that you learned these lesson
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Jun 08, 2009
getAbstract
rated it:
Handy time management guide, sans multitasking
Dave Crenshaw has managed to stretch a clear, simple concept into an entire book, but it is a useful, helpful concept. Crenshaw debunks the myth that multitasking can be effective and advocates focusing on one task at a time instead. He teaches this lesson by telling the story of a gifted business coach, Phil, and his stressed-out client, Helen. He uses the format of a business novel to demonstrate that multitasking is not an efficient wa More...
Dave Crenshaw has managed to stretch a clear, simple concept into an entire book, but it is a useful, helpful concept. Crenshaw debunks the myth that multitasking can be effective and advocates focusing on one task at a time instead. He teaches this lesson by telling the story of a gifted business coach, Phil, and his stressed-out client, Helen. He uses the format of a business novel to demonstrate that multitasking is not an efficient wa More...
Dec 01, 2008
Eric
rated it:
Here's how you "read" this book:
* Carve 60 minutes out of your high-powered executive lifestyle. If you can't find 60 minutes, just take it with you for the first leg of your next corporate jet-fueled cross-country bender. It's small enough to fit into a standard Zip-loc bag, so no one vomits on it at any point.
* For the first 10 minutes, actually read the book from the beginning, like you would an expose of your rival's CEO. It will be exceptionally painful and nause More...
* Carve 60 minutes out of your high-powered executive lifestyle. If you can't find 60 minutes, just take it with you for the first leg of your next corporate jet-fueled cross-country bender. It's small enough to fit into a standard Zip-loc bag, so no one vomits on it at any point.
* For the first 10 minutes, actually read the book from the beginning, like you would an expose of your rival's CEO. It will be exceptionally painful and nause More...
Jan 30, 2012
Jay
rated it: 
This short book makes a compelling case that multitasking doesn't exist at all and that what what we are really doing is inefficient switch tasking. The book offers hard numbers on the cost of switch tasking woven into a simple story.
The author argues that neither computers nor people do multiple things at once. While it is possible to have something going on in the background without serious cost, of you switch back and forth between tasks, the cost of switching can be very high.
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The author argues that neither computers nor people do multiple things at once. While it is possible to have something going on in the background without serious cost, of you switch back and forth between tasks, the cost of switching can be very high.
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Dec 18, 2008
Chris
rated it: 
Negatives:
Overly simplistic. The dialogue was cheesy, canned and unrealistic. Writing the entire book as a conversation between the author and the most idiotic CEO ever just seems kind of like a lazy way to do it.
Positives:
Quick read, so you don't have to really invest much time in it. The distinction between multitasking (context switching) and background tasking is valuable distinction. There were a few good time management tips mixed in.
Normally when I read More...
Overly simplistic. The dialogue was cheesy, canned and unrealistic. Writing the entire book as a conversation between the author and the most idiotic CEO ever just seems kind of like a lazy way to do it.
Positives:
Quick read, so you don't have to really invest much time in it. The distinction between multitasking (context switching) and background tasking is valuable distinction. There were a few good time management tips mixed in.
Normally when I read More...
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Dec 08, 2009
Dominique
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Do you have a few hours to spare? If so, read this book. This book is written in a simple and narrative style for those who don't enjoy non-fiction books as much as I do. This literary work busts the myth of multitasking. It portrays how we misinterpret the word "multitasking" and how much loss it becomes for businesses. Me of course, I am not a manager nor worried about my job's time management - I took it and thought of it as how to improve my own time management in order to feel les
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Jun 02, 2011
Viktor
rated it: 
Прекрасная книга, отлично иллюстрирующая видоизмененную мудрость: Есть ложь, большая ложь и многозадачность. Хорошо показан вред переключений. Стилистика бизнес-романа отлично дает полноценные кейсы - как бороться с проблемой: с позиции личного менеджмента и с позиций корпоративных правил. Настоятельно рекомендую ко всем, кто теряет на переключении между контекстами до трети своего времени.
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Oct 23, 2011
Scott
rated it:
A new addition to the leadership parable bookshelf, this one aimed at proving how inefficient it is to try and multi-task. It introduces a number of key concepts including switch tasking, switch inefficiency and background multi-tasking. The use of the parable however feels weak though as it is a rough caricature of the staff in one fictional setting, wherein each person rather predictably struggles with and then adopts the principles offered by the main consultant character. As a results, it
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Jun 11, 2009
Alissa
rated it:
Told in the business fable style popularized by Who Moved My Cheese.
In 100 pages and one quick exercise Crenshaw manages to convey why multitasking (which is actually switchtasking) is not as effective as people believe. My only complaint is the author didn't really explain how background tasking (watching TV while folding laundry) can be effective. However, I think the point is that really 90% of what people consider multitasking is actually something called switchtasking, which is More...
In 100 pages and one quick exercise Crenshaw manages to convey why multitasking (which is actually switchtasking) is not as effective as people believe. My only complaint is the author didn't really explain how background tasking (watching TV while folding laundry) can be effective. However, I think the point is that really 90% of what people consider multitasking is actually something called switchtasking, which is More...
Apr 07, 2009
Sabeen
rated it:
This book gave lots of clear examples of the downfalls of multi-tasking, or switch-tasking as it is referred to in the book. I really think this should be required reading for managers and anyone involved in workforce development. It has activities and worksheets that can be used to help people learn why multi-tasking decreases efficiency as well as ways to manage time. It is a very quick read, but it has a lot of good information and practical advice on increasing efficiency. Though the writing
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Oct 12, 2008
Marshall
rated it:
Short, simplistic, but invaluable lesson to be learned.
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Jul 13, 2011
Pavel
rated it:
Люблю такие книги романы.
Книга сильно поменяла мое представление о использование времени. Очень хорошо ее прочить после других систем управления временем. Она доводит до мысли, что при работе от делом (рабочим/семейным/личным) надо отодоваться ему на все 100%, чтобы получить 100% результат и 100 % удовольствие от этого. More...
Книга сильно поменяла мое представление о использование времени. Очень хорошо ее прочить после других систем управления временем. Она доводит до мысли, что при работе от делом (рабочим/семейным/личным) надо отодоваться ему на все 100%, чтобы получить 100% результат и 100 % удовольствие от этого. More...
Jul 11, 2011
Aleksey
rated it:
Книга позволяет ОСОЗНАТЬ, а также ВЫЯВИТЬ и ОЦЕНИТЬ (с помощью нескольких практических заданий) ПРОБЛЕМЫ потери времени и внимания, но при этом предлагает способы решения ТОЛЬКО ДЛЯ НЕКОТОРЫХ из них – связанных с работой, и то – в основном для руководителей, менджеров и т.п. Так что в целом книжка слабенькая.
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Mar 12, 2011
Rolando
rated it:
Quick Read. Parable style. I met the author years ago and have been meaning to read this book for a long time. I am glad I was able to find it in the library. I was surprised by the demonstration on switching costs and the time it actually does take out of every hour. That concept made a big impact on me and was worth the read. I also liked his belief that first you must improve personal systems and then you will be able to have an impact on larger systems. I enjoyed it. Thank you Dave.
Nov 03, 2009
Jeremy
rated it:
My first impression was "This is all common sense." feeling. However, if that was the case, why do ALL of us allow fall into the trap of thinking that working on more than one thing, at a time, is productive?
Crenshaw reminds us that "multitasking" (which he says is really "multiswitching") is the biggest lie.
When was the last time you gave someone your undivided attention for more than 2 minutes? Do your coworkers tend to linger at your desk More...
Crenshaw reminds us that "multitasking" (which he says is really "multiswitching") is the biggest lie.
When was the last time you gave someone your undivided attention for more than 2 minutes? Do your coworkers tend to linger at your desk More...
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Jan 06, 2011
Deena
rated it:
Interesting and informative. It would obviously be more useful to me if I were in a corporate setting. The book did shed light on the fact that you're never really multitasking, rather "switchtasking". According to the the author, it's "a lie" to suggest that you're performing tasks like emailing and having a conversation (by phone or in person) at the same time. Rather you're switching rapidly between the two which proves to be very inefficient.
Jan 05, 2011
Dave
rated it:
I enjoyed the message of this book ('Multitasking is worse than a lie'), but I really don't like the fictionalized non-fiction structure it uses. At 130 odd pages though, I can't think of any reason why anyone shouldn't read this book: the concept of switch-tasking is great, and the method it suggests for time budgeting is fantastic. So if you can ignore the hokey made up story, it's a great little book on being more productive.
Jan 22, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
This was a short, quick read about how multitasking is a lie that is being perpetuated in American culture. It was interesting to read about how much time is lost through ineffective and inefficient multitasking. I read this book in about an hour, but was able to come away with some useful, simple tips that will help me move away from passive and active switchtasking.
Feb 06, 2009
Scott
rated it:
A quick, easy, but eye opening book that really sheds light on the fact that everyone I know (including myself) has the attention span of a gnat. We have forgotten how to listen and engage one with another. Even though I find it kinda cheezy that the writer writes in this "conversation" format, I think he is very effective in getting the point across.
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Aug 09, 2011
A very interesting, very quick read on the perils of multitasking. It certainly sold me on its central idea. The book is written in a "fable" style vis-a-vis a professional meeting with a multitasker and educating her on better alternatives. I know that other business books are written this way, but I've never experienced one. It was quite interesting. I read the entire book in one day. I don't think I've done that before. Cool.
Jul 08, 2011
Mikhail
rated it:
Simple story about obvious thing but most people do not think about it at all. And our personal productivity and efficiency consists of simple obvious things like that. I didn't find something special in this book, but it forced me to think about my own efficiency. And there are some nice home tasks to test yourself.
Dec 29, 2009
Valary
rated it:
I just finished reading Dave Crenshaw's The Myth of Multitasking: How "Doing It All" Gets Nothing Done. It's a quick read and worth the time if for nothing other than one of the easiest and best exercises I've seen for showing how inefficient multitasking really is.
Nov 24, 2010
Roxy
rated it:
This is a fast read... I began and finished it while in a plane, waiting for take-off. It's powerful, with specific examples of how to manage your time better. Using a case study, the author brings home the lessons that I really related to.
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Feb 17, 2011
Amy
rated it:
This book could easily be turned into a one page infographic and save the reader an hour or so. The writing was bland and at times mechanical, almost like an xtranormal character wrote it ( http://www.xtranormal.com/ ). My advice: skim and pay attention to the little call outs in page corners, often these are the most interesting parts.
Dec 12, 2011
Kristy
rated it:
Read this book for continuing education credits. Nice easy read. It's written like a fiction story, a bit unbelievable at times, but gets the points across in a nice easy to follow manner. Learned some things.
May 10, 2009
Mark
rated it:
Short, to the point, and brings home Merlin Mann's observation that "Multitasking is the art of distracting yourself from two things you’d rather not be doing by doing them simultaneously."
Nov 02, 2011
Brandon
rated it:
Pretty obvious and nothing groundbreaking here. It's a quick read however, so recommending it to your friends that have unfounded faith in their ability to multi-task may be useful.
