I’m an inveterate multitasker. My workstation is set up with two screens, one with the main task I’m working on, the other with related documents. I do this because it seems more efficient. For example, I might have a scientific report on the main screen and an Endnote database on the other, which allows me to add references to the report without needing to switch back and forth between programs. The problem is that, due to my thaasophobia, I also fill the second screen with lots of peripherals – email, Intervals, a couple of news websites – all of which are quite distracting.
Last week I read an amusing article in the Guardian, entitled My colossal task burden, which informed me that multitasking is not only inefficient (because your brain has to readjust each time you switch tasks), it also ‘make us more depressed (it’s harder to focus on the positive), less able to connect with people and form a conscience’. So, I’ll keep my two screens, but from now on will turn off the distractions when I need to focus on a task.