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Multitasking Madness Can Lead To Messes

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

MultitaskingIn today's intensive world of instant information I have found that

Multitasking Madness Can Lead To Messes.

Multitasking is here to stay doing two, three or more things at once. I think the only reason you don't have three phones is you only have two ears. Well there is the speaker phone on the one on the desk too. Today's busy world does call for multitasking. It is a reality often to the expense of quality focused one on one communication.

But the madness sets in once you have one input port too many into your body. That's when things start to fall apart.

Go with your common sense when multitasking. Unplug enough of "something" to be reasonably effective. It does get to be like a game with me somedays seeing how many things in parallel you can do without cracking. But then eventually someone suffers in the mix. There is danger too like driving while texting or emailing with a moving vehicle. VERY DANGEROUS.

Know your limits with our hyper society and think a little bit about your receiver, your listener, your client, the work that you are producing for someone else. Aren't they worth a little more of your precious "undivided" time?

Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Gary - recently, my multitasking activity included texting at a stop light. I have to catch myself not to look at emails while driving. Thanks for the reminder.

May 26, 2009 12:57 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Gary,

Great photo! Texting in the car is soooo dangerous! Muti tasking has it's benefits but has gotten out of control all over the world! Knowing our limits is the key! Thanks for the wake-up call! 

May 26, 2009 01:34 PM
Kristin Moran
Owner - RE/MAX Access - KristinMoran@Remax.net - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio,TX - Real Estate - 210-313-7397

I was thinking about this today.  I pass at least 3 drivers & one who almost hit me that were looking at their phones.  Crazy!

May 26, 2009 02:28 PM
Marvin de la Vega
Realty Source Inc - Chula Vista, CA

Gary - I once read that some of THE WORST drivers on the road are real estate agents (phones, texting, etc.). In the same article it went on to say that some of the best drivers are aircraft pilots. I guess since I'm both an agent and pilot that makes me average. So maybe there needs to be a DWM law (Driving While Multi-tasking). I'm just glad I don't need to put on makeup on the way to work, I'd end up looking like Tammy Faye. Silly point by me, excellent post by you.

May 26, 2009 02:30 PM
Jess Graves
JessGravesDesigns.Com - Bristol, PA
Bucks County Decordiva of Home Staging

Great post, ....Sound advice. The picture reminds me of my desk only instead a day timer I have two laptops!

 

Thanks, Jess

May 26, 2009 02:57 PM
Laura Watts
Positive Properties, LLC - Laurinburg, NC

Gary-I believe you must have a camera on me. LOL I seem to have too many task going on at once. Not by choice though.  I will start on something and the phone will ring and it will be someone wanting to either know about a property or wanting something for a closing.  Oh, and the many, many calls wanting rentals or faxing and scanning documents.  Oh well..... I guess it is just another day in the life of a Realtor.  Great post.

May 26, 2009 03:55 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Gary, My own stress level always rises as I try to handel ( well ) more than I can reasonably do. I am sitting here are my desk with two printers goings, and additional scanner, two full computers systems, 3 Monitors ,only 2 phones ( one is a cell ), 2 clocks and egg timer. I made that up about the egg timer because I am considering one since I talk to long on the phone.  But the hours roll by and the days disappear. BTW, I am also learing how to use an SLR camera ( digital of course ), a new Pentax but it has a couple great lenses and many options for taking great photos , so I thought I should learn while I work. TOO MUCH, huh?. I want to turn it all off, tell everyone I am sick and just go the beach tomorrow, LOL.

May 26, 2009 04:56 PM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Gary,

As a mom and a business owner I really don't know many other ways than multi-tasking, but it is these same qualities that often make me slow down.  Especially being a mom, my children don't take too kindly to multi-tasking on their time.

May 27, 2009 04:30 AM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty

Although multi-tasking can increase productivity sometimes it is good to focus on one thing at a time!  Texting while driving is dangerous...I can't believe how many drivers I see texting while I'm on the road!

May 27, 2009 06:24 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

See, and now you know how I manage to spill some type of liquid on my keyboard at least 2 to 3 times a year.

 

May 27, 2009 10:09 AM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Gary - It is very tough not to multi-task as we are in Real Estate! Sometimes I have to tell myself to slow down and do ONE THING at a time! Although I have not yet spill a cup of coffee! :)

May 27, 2009 11:46 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

Multitasking these days is just a way of life, but it can and does get rapidly out of hand and leads to confusion and chaos.

May 27, 2009 01:51 PM
Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Gary: I find multi-tasking a way of life...and I am sure so do so many of us...yet one time we should never be multi-tasking is when someone is talking...listening requires our full attention. 

May 27, 2009 02:42 PM
Nannette Hilliard
Exit Professional Real Estate - Monroe, WI
CDPE, ABR, CRS

Being present in every moment is sometimes takes a lot of discipline.

May 27, 2009 03:04 PM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Gary ...Great analogies.  A hickory not is very hard but has soft meat inside .  Supposedly the concrete inside Hoover Dam at the core is still fairly soft....like the center of the earth. We do have a soft side in all of us if you can bring it out.

Oh and looks like we are back up and running on comments.

May 27, 2009 03:23 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

I welcome the distraction of clients. They give me such a needed break from multitasking :-) Thank God for clients!

May 27, 2009 03:36 PM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Many times it pays to complete one task before taking on another.  Especially since the 'art' of multi-tasking is often overrated.

May 27, 2009 11:50 PM
The Rains Team
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Hoschton, GA
A higher standard in real estate

Hi Gary, I use multi-tasking often so that I can accomplish more in my day...but I agree, texting while driving is dangerous! Don't do it!

Have a great day,

Anne Rains

May 28, 2009 03:59 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

good morning Gary,

I always remind myself of something an old friend always used to say to me (when I was madly juggling so many things in my personal and professional life that it's amazing I was ever able to do them all), 'You can only do battle on so many fronts.'

Good reminder!

Jo

May 29, 2009 12:37 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, RealtorĀ® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Gary - love the picture considering I have a  cup  of coffee in front of my keyboard right now . . . very good reminder!

May 30, 2009 03:50 AM