I have been guilty of it and probably so have you. Your driving the car, following confusing directions, and answering your cell phone while the kids ask a million different questions. We are a culture of multi-taskers and we are proud of it. Did you realize that dong to many thing at one time impairs your memory and increases your susceptibility to not only skin damage but serious illnesses? Experts tell us if we try to do more than one thing at a time we are less efficient than when we concentrate on just one thing. There are many draw backs to multitasking.



1.Strained brain. Multitasking is only effective when doing things that are automatic, i.e. breathing while chewing gum. You can't concentrate on two visual tasks at once, says Meyer.

2.Injured memory abilities possibly permanently. Your memory and future ablities are compromised when you do many different tasks at one time. Multi-tasking utilizes short- term memory, so people who multi-task often cannot take in new information fully; Not enough time to think about one issue exclusively make it to avaliable to the long term memory. Also, because multi-tasking is stressful, the body has to release stress hormones that end up diverting attention and energy from memory forming parts of the brain. Damage on the surface of the skin and the skin's eliminating and protecting functions are compromised by stress hormones.

3.Weakened immune system. Multi-tasking can be exhausting, and distressed people don't sleep well. Americans, in general, are sleep-deprived. Because poor sleep leads to even more fatigue, leading to more stress, the body's immune system is damaged. Because of this, it is harder to fight off infections, like colds, and we are more susceptible to stress-associated diseases, like heart disease and high blood pressure, even obesity and diabetes. Stress encourages overeating and interferes with metabolism.

4. Damaged skin, and premature signs of aging. Expression lines on the face when you are not expressing come form scowling, frowning and squinting due to stress.

Smarter Ways to Get Things Done:

1.Figure out your intentions for the week. Identify what you really need to focus on in a week's time.

2.Make a daily list of task in order of importance and stick to it.

3.The margin in books makes the book easier to read and margin in your life make your life easier to live. Margin somehow gets filled in with the days emergencies, a rushed day is the result of no margin in the schedule. The margin not used is your gift to yourself and how often do you get the gift of time.

4.Be aware of time! Over scheduling can lead to stress. Determine how long something will actually take.

5.Take breaks. Don't spend more than 90 consecutive minutes on one particular task.

6.Learn to say NO. This is not a negative act.

7.Clean off your desk. This makes it easier to focus.

8.Good enough is enough. Excellence and perfectionism are not the same, perfectionism is an unhealthy attitude setting you up for failure.

9.Enjoy life, stay healthy, have fun.