How to Stop Multitasking

If we want to improve the quality of our work, lower our stress levels, and become more efficient, then we need get out of the multitasking habit. Below are some suggestions to help you cut back on multitasking:

Plan your day in blocks. Set specific times for returning calls, answering emails, and doing research. Manage your interruptions. Keep a log showing who interrupts you the most, and how urgent the requests are. Once you've compiled a week's worth of interruptions, politely but assertively approach your colleagues with a view to managing and reducing their interruptions. Learn how to improve your concentration so you can focus properly on one task at a time. Doing this may feel awkward at first if you frequently multitask. But you'll be surprised at how much you get done just by concentrating on one thing at a time. Every time you go to check your email or take a call when you're actually supposed to be doing something else, take a deep breath and resist the urge. Focus your attention back to what you're supposed to be doing. If you get an audible or visual alert when emails come in, turn it off. This can help you avoid the temptation to check your inbox whenever you get new mail. Whenever you find yourself multitasking, stop. Take five minutes to sit quietly at your desk with your eyes closed. Even short breaks like this can refocus your mind, lower your stress levels, and improve your concentration. Plus it can give your brain a welcome break during a hectic day. There will be times when something urgent comes up and you can't avoid interruptions. But instead of trying to multitask through these, stop and make a note of where you left your current task. Record any thoughts you had about how to move forward. Then deal with the immediate problem, before going back to what you were doing. This way you'll be able to handle both tasks well, and you'll leave yourself with some clues to help you restart the original task more quickly. If you find your mind wandering when you should be focusing on something else, you need to guide your thoughts back to what you are doing by putting yourself in the moment. For example, you might be sitting in an important team meeting, but thinking about a speech you'll be giving soon. Tell yourself, "I am in this meeting, and need to focus on what I'm learning here." Often, acknowledging the moment can help keep you focused.

Tip: If you'd like to learn more about the drawbacks of multitasking, and how to get better at managing your time, check out our Expert Interview with Dave Crenshaw, The Myth of Multitasking.

Key Points
Many of us think that multitasking is the best way to get through the demands of our working day. This is a myth! The reality is that multitasking lowers the quality of our work, reduces our ability to focus, and can actually cost us time. It's important to stop multitasking as soon as you realize you're doing it. Schedule your day into blocks of time, try to minimize and manage interruptions, and work on improving your concentration. Controlling your tendency to multitask could have surprising benefits. You probably find that you get more done, feel less stress, and have more energy at the end of the day.

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Multitasking Examples in Human Resources

by Amanda Banach, Demand Media

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Human resources professionals balance many tasks on any given day and must be comfortable with multitasking to succeed. A typical day will include both planned and unplanned meetings and activities, as managers and employees look to the human resources department for guidance on a number of issues. An HR representatives specific responsibilities may vary depending on her job title and the structure of the organization for which she works, but in general, the most common tasks include recruitment and selection, benefits, payroll and employee relations investigations, all of which require a high level of organization and multitasking ability.
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Recruitment
In most organizations, the recruitment and selection process is coordinated by the human resources department. An HR individual creates job postings, sources for applicants, conducts interviews and hires the most qualified candidates to fill various job vacancies within the organization. Other multitasking duties that pertain to recruitment are attending career fairs and community networking events, tracking applicant data for Affirmative Action Programs and sending out correspondence to those individuals who were interviewed but not selected to fill positions.

Benefits
The human resources professional coordinates with benefits providers to enroll and perform maintenance on group health benefits plans such as medical, dental and vision insurance and short- and long-term disability plans. This includes collecting and reporting all required information for new enrollments and changes to the appropriate provider, verifying qualifying life-change events and coordinating the companys annual benefits enrollment. The human resources department also implements wellness programs, reviews and approves requests for tuition assistance and ensures compliance with all record-keeping requirements for insurance documents.

Employee Relations
When an employee has a work-related issue that cannot be independently resolved, the human resources representative serves as a mediator to obtain a fair resolution. This includes meeting with all persons involved in the situation, obtaining all relevant documentation and written statements of witnesses and using this information to make a decision. It is imperative that employee complaints be handled in a timely and efficient manner to maintain a safe working environment for the employees during the investigation process and to prevent possible legal issues from arising later on. This is especially common when allegations of harassment or discrimination are not handled appropriately and are later escalated to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for review.

Payroll
In some companies, the human resources department is responsible for processing employee payroll. This includes obtaining and reviewing all employee time sheets to ensure that each workers compensation is compliant with Fair Labor Standards Act requirements regarding minimum pay, overtime and deduction requirements. The payroll process also includes the multitasking duties of balancing the appropriate general ledger accounts and calculating the

correct amounts each pay period for items such as paid time off accrual and payroll deductions for items such as retirement plan contributions and wage garnishments.

Miscellaneous
There are other miscellaneous tasks and responsibilities that a human resources professional handles on a regular basis. One such item is creating and analyzing several reports involving items such as employee turnover, compensation and annual performance reviews. The HR department may also be responsible for implementing and conducting employee training and career development programs and conducting new hire orientations. Each day consists of a combination of duties with various deadlines and legal and administrative requirements that must be appropriately handled by multitasking and prioritizing your day.
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Based in Virginia, Amanda Banach has been a writer since 2009. Her professional work experience includes roles in media advertising, financial services and human resources. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in human resources management and is PHR-certified.

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Featured: Tax Time New Year 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. eHow Job Search & Employment Success at Work Time Management at Work Problems With Multitasking

Problems With Multitasking

By Beth Wankel, eHow Contributor

Print this article

Multitasking may waste time rather than save it.

Multitasking is the act of performing two or more tasks at the same time. An example of this is reading emails while talking on the phone. It may seem like a great way to save time and get more work done, but people are starting to realize that there are some issues with multitasking, and it may not be the proven business tool that people once thought.

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1. Multitasking Takes More Time

o

Instead of saving time by doing things together, most of the time you might actually be using more time than you would have if you had done those tasks separately. The reason for this is simply how the brain operates. It's difficult to concentrate fully on two things at once, unless one task requires little or no attention, such as walking. As you bounce back and forth between tasks, and your brain must work very hard to juggle both tasks. It may still be working on one task as you move on to another, so time is spent moving from task to task. If you worked on one task to completion, then took up the other task, chances are it would take you less time.

Multitasking Affects Memory

o

Multitasking is difficult for your brain in a physical way. It can put stress on certain parts of your brain, including where and how your brain stores new information. Trying to do too many things at once can negatively affect your short-term memory abilities. If you were working on a task that required some memorization or learning abilities, you likely would have to revisit the task again at a later date, which also uses up more time. Sponsored Links

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Multitasking is Stressful
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Multitasking can be very stressful, not only physically but mentally. If you are multitasking and you find that you are having trouble completing both tasks or you realize you are not doing them properly or to the best of your ability, that can put a lot of emotional stress on you. Multitasking may cause some anxiety and depression, especially in a work environment where your career may be at stake.

Time Management

Some people may feel like they are always rushed or always behind deadline, and they feel like multitasking is the only way to get ahead. Some simple time management methods might help them more in the long run. Some good tips include doing the most important task first, keeping an organized schedule and sticking to it, having important resources and other information at hand when you need them and not being afraid to do a task a little slower than you'd like so you can get it done right. Doing it right the first time always takes less time than having to redo it.

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What Are the Benefits of Multitasking?

By Samantha Cummings, eHow Contributor

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What Are the Benefits of Multitasking?

Multitasking has been heralded as one of the best ways to get ahead, both at work and at home. Doing more than one thing at a time can increase efficiency, productivity, free up more time, and in some cases, save you money. By understanding the benefits of multitasking, you can determine whether it's a good idea for you and your particular situation or line of work.

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What Are the Advantages of Multitasking?

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1. Saving Time
o

One of the most obvious and important benefits of multitasking is it enables you to save time. Rather than doing one thing after the other, you combine tasks so you can more quickly get everything done. For instance, rather than spending an hour on the treadmill and then listening to a language course on tape for another hour, do them at the same time and save an hour of your day. Multitasking allows

people to free up more time for the things they enjoy, such as their families or hobbies.

Saving Money
o

For employers, multitasking can save a lot of money. If you're able to use multitasking to do things you'd otherwise delegate to employees or others, you can save money. Rather than hiring someone to file papers for you, do this while you're on the telephone with a client. When you can use multitasking to decrease the number of employees needed or the number of hours they work, you can save money. Sponsored Links

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Increasing Productivity
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Multitasking increases productivity for everyone. If a company has three employees who can multitask effectively, they will accomplish a lot more than the same number of workers who do not multitask. This could decrease the time needed for projects and certain tasks. For an individual, multitasking can even increase productivity around the house. This is especially helpful when someone has a lot to accomplish, such as during holidays or special events.

Prevents Procrastination
o

Those who multitask will be less likely to procrastinate between tasks. Such people will be more motivated because they will see what they're getting done and achieving. When someone is multitasking, it's more difficult to find the time to procrastinate and therefore waste time.

Read more: What Are the Benefits of Multitasking? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8614420_benefits-multitasking.html#ixzz2IW5BP7yj

You are here: Home Blog Time Management Strategies 9 Tips for More Effective Multitasking

9 Tips for More Effective Multitasking

Posted by Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM on April 20, 2010 in: Time Management Strategies

For busy professionals, multitasking is a must-have skill that allows you to shoehorn more productivity into an already packed schedule. Its an often-maligned skill, too, because of the frequently quoted problem that multitasking results in poorer quality work. But I disagree. Like other skills, I believe that multitasking is something you can develop and improve and use strategically. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Start small. Dont multitask your rocket science work AND your brain surgery work right out of the gate. Instead, multitask a few different less-essential things until you get good at multitasking. Triage your work. Not everything should be multitasked. Driving, for example, should remain separate from reading, talking on the phone, putting on make-up, etc. But a lot of things things that arent life-and-death situations are able to be multitasked. Multitasking on billable work is debatable. Im personally of the opinion that if you charge by the hour, you shouldnt be multitasking billable hours. But people who bill by the project and can take as long as they want on something might be okay with multitasking. Especially if they Know the bandwidth limit. Even awesome multitaskers have a limit. Its like bandwidth. You only have so much mental capacity to use at once. Most tasks dont take up all of your bandwidth. Some tasks (like driving your car) should probably take more bandwidth than you think they should. But talking on the phone to a coworker doesnt need to take up as much bandwidth as it does.

Group like projects together. The most effective kind of multitasking is when you group similar projects together. For example, if you manage half a dozen Twitter accounts, and you want to spend a focused amount of time on Twitter, you can multitask this easily. Prep for multitasking. Before you multitask, make sure you have everything ready to go. The purpose of multitasking is quickly lost if you have to get up from your desk or if you spend your time searching for a folder or opening programs. (Thats another reason why grouping like projects together is a good multitasking idea). Keep a list. A list of multitaskable tasks should be handy. This should be stuff that you can do whenever you have some extra bandwidth. Email sorting, quick email responses, filing, Twitterfollower-list-adding, reviewing your schedule for the day. These are low bandwidth activities that you always need to do. Keep that list nearby. When you discover some extra bandwidth, pull out the list. Set time limits on your work and focus on improving your multitasking skill. The purpose of multitasking is to get more work done in less time. So if you have two projects that each take an hour, and it takes you two hours to do them both, then it doesnt matter if you do them at the same time or if you do them consecutively; theres no time saved. Instead, focus on doing both of them well in 1 to 1.5 hours in total. This will take some time because multitasking is a skill. Have a goal. This is a good time management tip for anyone, whether or not you want to multitask. But if you do multitask, it will make your multitasking easier. Thats because consciously knowing the goal can help you unconsciously work toward it. And, you wont be half-heartedly working around the project without a clear purpose; youll be actively working toward the goal. Get into the zone. Multitasking isnt something you do to avoid real effort. Its something you do when you are focused and operating at your peak. If you find that youre trying to multitask but youre only doing one thing at a time, put something aside until you can focus. I dont juggle but it seems kind of like juggling: You see jugglers starting with 3 items and then once they have a rhythm, they seem to be able to effortlessly add more in later. Compare that to someone who tries to just START juggling 17 items at once. Seems harder to do. (Back me up here, jugglers!)

Multitasking is a muscle that needs to be worked. When you schedule your day, sit down and quickly identify two or three projects you can multitask at the same time. Work at it. Evaluate how you did. Try again another day. Build your multitasking muscle strategically.
1 Year Ago 0
1. ;elementary multitasking of two threads 2. [org 0x0100] 3. jmp start 4. 5. ; ax, bx, ip, cs, flags storage area 6. taskstates: dw 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 ;task0 regs

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

dw dw current: chars: db db

0, 0, 0, 0, 0 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 0 '\|/-'

;task1 regs ;task2 regs ;index of current task ;shapes to form a bar ;read the next shape ;write at the top left ;increment to next ;taking modulus by 4 ;infinite task ;read the next shape ;write at top right of ;increment to next ;taking modulus by 4 ;infinite task

;one task to be multitasked taskone: mov al, [chars+bx] mov [es:0], al of screen 16. inc bx shape 17. and bx, 3 18. jmp taskone 19. 20. ;second task to be multitasked 21. tasktwo: mov al, [chars+bx] 22. mov [es:158], al screen 23. inc bx shape 24. and bx, 3 25. jmp tasktwo 26. ;timer interrupt service routine 27. timer: push ax 28. push bx 29. 30. mov bl, [cs:current] task 31. mov ax, 10 task 32. mul bl of task 33. mov bx, ax bx 34. 35. pop ax of bx 36. mov [cs:taskstates+bx+2], task 37. pop ax of ip 38. mov [cs:taskstates+bx+4], task 39. pop ax of cs 40. mov [cs:taskstates+bx+6], task 41. pop ax of flags 42. mov [cs:taskstates+bx+8], task 43. 44. inc byte [cs:current] index 45. cmp byte [cs:current], 3 range

;read index of current ;space used by one ;multiply to get start ;load start of task in ;read original value ax ;space for current ;read original value ax ;space for current ;read original value ax ;space for current ;read original value ax ;space for current ;update current task ;is task index out of

46. 47. 48. 49. skipreset: task 50. task 51. of task 52. bx 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. start: 65. 66. flags 67. 68. 69. flags 70. task index 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. base 79. tasks 80. 81. 82.

jne skipreset mov byte [cs:current], 0 mov bl, [cs:current] mov ax, 10 mul bl mov bx, ax mov al, 0x20 out 0x20, al push word [cs:taskstates+bx+8] push word [cs:taskstates+bx+6] push word [cs:taskstates+bx+4] mov ax, [cs:taskstates+bx+0] mov bx, [cs:taskstates+bx+2] iret

;no, proceed ; yes, reset to task 0 ;read index of current ;space used by one ;multiply to get start ;load start of task in

;send EOI to PIC ;flags of new task ;cs of new task ;ip of new task ;ax of new task ;bx of new task ;return to new task ;initialize ip ;initialize cs ;initialize ;initialize ip ;initialize cs ;initialize ;set current

mov word [taskstates+10+4], taskone mov [taskstates+10+6], cs mov word [taskstates+10+8], 0x0200 mov word [taskstates+20+4], tasktwo mov [taskstates+20+6], cs mov word [taskstates+20+8], 0x0200 mov word [current], 0 xor mov cli mov mov mov mov ax, ax es, ax word [es:8*4], timer [es:8*4+2], cs ax, 0xb800 es, ax

;point es to IVT base ;hook timer interrupt ;point es to video ;initialize bx for

xor bx, bx sti jmp $

The thread control instruction is in this code but I am unable to find that instruction. Kindly help me to find out that thread control instruction
Yaseen16 Newbie Poster 7 posts since Jun 2011

1 Year Ago 0

See line 62. iret instruction returns control from an interrupt handler. On MS-DOS interrupt handlers are common to process hardware and software interrupts. The program actually begins at the label named Start on line 64. It initializes a timer interrupt handler then jumps somewhere (line 82). These are not really threads as we know them in MS-Windows and *nix. Nor will you be able to run that assembly code under MS-Windows.
Ancient Dragon Retired & Loving It Team Colleague 31,445 posts since Aug 2005