by Laurie Baram, July 2003

Dear Clients, Colleagues & Friends,

For the second year in a row, planners of the HOW Design Conference saved the best speaker for last. Sheila Campbell, president of consulting firm Wild Blue Yonder Inc. presented the closing session titled "I Love My Work But.." and shattered the myth of work/life balance while sharing some key principles to feeling more satisfaction in both our personal and work lives.

In addition to encouraging the audience to find their passions, go on a commitments diet and have the courage to design our lives around 2 or 3 important things (which would probably include work), she dared us to stop the busyness.

Campbell's reference to the Wall Street Journal article by Sue Shellenbarger, "Multitasking makes you stupid" inspired me to delve deeper. (You can read the entire article here http://m1e.net/c?20200452-jBqlDdCZB1Iaw%40245000-Uiz0jI577mnew) I learned that scientific research shows that the time-saving technique of multi-tasking can actually make you less efficient, and stupider. Consider this:

* People who multitask are actually less efficient that those who focus on one project at a time. Time lost switching among tasks increases with the complexity of the tasks.

* The faster you switch from one task to another, the longer it takes your brain to focus on the new thing. In other words, the faster you switch, the slower you think.

*Managing two mental tasks at once reduces the brainpower available for either task.

*Chronic high-stress multi-tasking is linked to short-term memory loss.

* Intense multitasking can induce an adrenaline rush that can damage cells that form new memory, literally making you stupider.

So if you're trying to reach me and get voice mail or a slower response to an email than you expected, it's because I'm consciously trying to weed out distractions, slow down and focus.

P.S. Last year's closing speaker was Kevin Carroll, Catalyst at Nike. He opened the 2003 conference and I'll be sharing his recommended reading list in a future message.

Lauri


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