You think you can Multitask but... really?

So everyone's talking about how much work they can get done and how great they are at multitasking.  But are they really getting anything really "done?"  Seriously.  If you think you're working on a bunch of things at the same time, take a moment during the middle of it all and ask yourself "What am I working on right at this very moment?"  Your honest answer will more than likely be "Well, I'm on the phone and then I stop listening so I can send an IM to my other friend" or "I'm checking some spreadsheet calculations and then stopped because someone just stopped by with a question" or "I keep trying to finish this task but I keep getting interrupted so I never got it done."

Your brain is wired to completely devote attention to one conscious thing at a time and also to quickly move from one task to another; but it's not occurring at the same exact moment.  We demand so much from ourselves that we've even convinced each other that multitasking is the goal of an efficient and effective mind.  Checking your cellphone while at dinner with a friend,  taking a phone call while you're having a conversation, driving and texting; these are examples of very common behaviors in society that may have already become acceptable in your circle.  My question to you is should they be acceptable?  Are we really able to share our time with others if we're not fully engaged with them?  Can we truly communicate consciously with others if we're breaking away to give attention to someone or something else?  Are we putting our attention to the more critical tasks at hand rather than something that can really wait a few more minutes?

Others have addressed these thoughts in creative and thought provoking ways. 
Multitasking or Task Switching

Putting Distracted Drivers to the Test Video

End Distracted Driving

Is there an etiquette for driving?

There are times when I'm on the road and wonder "Who taught these people to drive!? Seriously!"  Some rules of the road are more about the courtesy and common sense than they are about laws.  Everyone that drives a vehicle regardless of their age, sex, height or weight is accepting a responsibility to join a community of other drivers traveling together.  But, we often do not treat it like a responsibility; rather, we act like we're entitled.  Think about how you drive and how your friends drive and answer these questions.  

• When should I drive in the far left lane?  
• Is it your right to drive in any lane you want?  
• Do you find yourself trying to slow everyone down when you think they're driving too fast?  
• Do you check your review mirror to keep track of your pace compared to surrounding traffic? 
• Do you often get passed on the right?
• While you're actively driving, do you often text, read, eat or reach in the back seat?
• What does it mean when someone flashes their headlights behind you or coming toward you?
• When a lane ends, how should everyone merge together?
  

I'm sure there is someone out there with all the answers but are they based on laws or simply good driving etiquette?  Some would say that the farther away from high traffic areas, the more relaxed our tolerance to other drivers becomes.  I can say that driving away from Northern Virginia on my way to Louisiana one year, I made that observation first hand.  You could argue that larger population areas simply have more traffic so there will be unavoidable frustrations.  It certainly makes the high tech traffic control in the movie  I,Robot seem very attractive!



The way we drive is very personal.  We treat our cars as an unconscious shield between us and other people and sometimes an extension of ourselves.  So it's not uncommon for us to be defensive about our driving or unable to comment or correct others about their driving.  A challenge for each of us this year is to consider that by sharing genuine concern for someone's safety, a simple offer of advice on how to improve a driving skill, we are finally being honest with each other and encouraging the greater good of the traffic community, maybe, just maybe, we could make a difference in your next commute!