FOCUS

It has been accurately stated that it is impossible to focus on everything simultaneously. By definition, if an individual is focusing, that person has deleted whole sets and subsets of information in favor of concentrating mental faculty on a single project. This flies in the face of a culture that espouses multitasking as the pre-eminent skill set for the modern professional. I say hogwash. Not only is multitasking non-beneficial, but I assert it is literally impossible.

Given any set of tasks and assuming the individual has 100% competency in all of those tasks individually, we cannot mathematically deduce that the same person will maintain that level of competency on a sum of those tasks performed simultaneously. Quite simply, there's only one you and only one endeavor that can be pursued at a single time with maximum effectiveness.

Where does this leave the busy professional, motivated by achievement, prodded by the upper ranks, and set into motion by the fleeting clasps of upwardly-mobile crabs? It leaves him to prioritize. The ability to set priorities so far exceeds any vain attempt at multitasking as to render the latter useless. We see this validated in everything from Brian Tracy's EAT THAT FROG
to Stephen Covey's SEVEN HABITS
to Anthony Robbins' TIME OF YOUR LIFE program. The thesis holds true that we must at all times determine what is the single assignment which will yield the greatest return and then pursue that assignment firstly and vigorously. Upon completion, the process is repeated, and the professional basks in the glow of accomplishment, eager to see what else can be done.
LL

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” --Paul J Meyer