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

Dave Crenshaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"This little book was both a pleasure to read and offered some very practical advice in the form of a modern day fable." (Oliver Starr, Editor, Getting Things Done Times)

"Are you a master of juggling e-mail, voice mail, cell-phone calls and the like? No, you're not, says this slim fable-cum-manifesto against multitasking. The author, a business coach, gently ridicules the idea that anyone can concentrate on two things at the same time." (Andrea Sachs, Senior Reporter, Time Magazine, November 2, 2008)

"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." (businessskillbooks.blogspot.com, November 24, 2008)

"I applaud Crenshaw for taking on a popular buzzword and small-scale plague not only in business life, but also our day-to-day world. Multitasking is indeed a myth. I would be tempted to be more vigorous in my rhetoric and say that multitasking is a fraud and a thief." (businesscoach.us.com, November 24, 2008)

"Crenshaw's on a mission to reduce distractions, interruptions, and fire-fighting at work, and create environments that let employees see through tasks with their full attention before moving onto the next thing." (blumerlamotte.blogspot.com, October 13, 2008)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (August 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470372257
• ISBN-13: 978-0470372258
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A highly sought-after author, speaker, and business coach, Dave Crenshaw is the master of helping business owners harness chaos and harvest personal freedom.

Dave Crenshaw's often humorous and entertaining approach always hits right on the head with audiences. His speeches are described as dynamic and life changing. Dave has also appeared in the news worldwide, including TIME magazine, the Washington Post, Forbes, and the BBC.

Dave's first book, The Myth of Multitasking: How "Doing It All" Gets Nothing Done, is a time management best seller available in many languages worldwide. His second book, Invaluable: The Secret to Becoming Irreplaceable, is also an organizational behavior bestseller. Dave's courses on sites such as lynda.com are also among the world's most widely viewed online training.

Dave is the founder of Invaluable Inc., a coaching and training corporation that has helped transform thousands of businesses around the world.

Dave lives in the shadow of Utah's Rocky Mountains with his wife and children.

To learn more about Dave, visit www.DaveCrenshaw.com.