No dead air please (day 114)

Multitasking was a desirable trait back in the early 90s.  Saying you were a multitasker was a winning interview strategy.  Multitasking meant you got a lot done.  Now the word is old and the belief is waning.  Whatever way it's sliced, the time to do something is the time to do something.  The real killer quality is the ability to find the minimum amount of time to do something particularly amongst other things.  Optimization is key.

If I had an app in my iphone that could somehow tell me the most efficient thing to do given:

• the list of things pending
• deadlines
  
• the time before my next meeting, lunch time, etc.
• proximity and availability of resources
• time of day
• location
• energy level
  

...I would be very efficient.   My friend Christopher gave an example of an app that would be aware of all the gifts you need to buy in the next year and the state of your bank account.  It could then suggest that you stop in at certain stored based on proximity to a store, state of bank account, and the other person's preference.   It may start to feel like an onboard gps navigator: "please turn left.  turn around.  turn around. "  Maybe it could be a once a day schedule suggestion based on previously entered data, which would be less annoying.

It is based on a notion of slotting in the appropriate thing at the appropriate time which is the hardest problem most of us face in our work lives.   But it comes with an assumption of complete quantifiable data.  Even if that assumption were satisfied, someone would have to enter that data.  Would it be worth it?  Perhaps if some learning was taking place over time and the dependence on the app lessened. 

I can't shake the idea that the solution may be in doing less though.

A song for this post.

Unitaskers unite (day 41)

[The new power supply worked. I am happy. My PC is running and maybe even quieter than before. Now I just have to find out where to recycle the old power supply.   It probably could be fixed but no one would bother.]

Today was a glorious day.  I stayed home and answered emails all day.  I didn't see anybody, I didn't talk to anybody and no one interrupted me.  I processed seventy-five emails.  It was a rare day where solitude came at exactly the right time.  As I sipped ginger lemon honey tea,  I felt myself becoming more civil and generous.  As I listened to the birds I felt hopeful instead of resentful.

I try to picture the days when I only had a one or two things to do.  How did multi-tasking become the norm.  I was more productive as a unitasker or at least I was more creative.  There is something about multi-tasking that robs me of the depth needed to make something new and meaningful.   I can do a lot in one day juggling devices, media, and meetings.  But I don't necessarily have anything tangible to show for it.  So many books have been written on this subject.  So many people claim they have the process that will change you from inefficient and overwhelmed to fulfilled and productive.  I believe processes evolve that will fit the context.  If something is not working, I can converge on solutions.   For example, adding Google tasks to my process changed things.  I get less email now because I can add to my task list without having to ask people to email me to remind me of something. 

This week on 'This American Life' they talked about a man who collected Lewis and Clark books until he was able to retire on the proceeds from their sale.   He retired and became a scholar.  He speaks of his new found freedom to explore in such glowing terms.  He's a true unitasker and he is happy.  Maybe this could be next year's resolution -- to become a unitasker and to write a unitasker manifesto.

A song for this post.