multi-tasking
Doing several things
Multi-tasking is doing several things at once—or more accurately, switching rapidly between tasks.
The term originated in computing, where processors handle multiple operations by allocating brief intervals to each.
Applied to humans, it often carries skepticism: research suggests people multi-task less effectively than they think.
She prided herself on multi-tasking, but her emails were full of errors.
Also spelled multitasking.
Sequential toss-and-catch performance
- prioritizingOrdering by importance
- workflowSequential task progression
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
organizing · planning · coordination · streamlining · optimization · efficiency · execution · agile
Time limit for completion
- hecticIntensely busy, almost overwhelming
- fast-pacedMoving or changing quickly
- busyActively occupied with tasks
- workflowSequential task progression
agenda · responsibilities · meetings · emails · projects · demanding · high-pressure · office
Chronic occupational depletion
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- overloadBurden beyond capacity
- swampedOverwhelmed beyond capacity
frazzled · chaotic · anxiety · overcommitted · overburdened · pressured · scattered · fragmented
Adequate ability to function
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- adeptnessHighly developed ability
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- prioritizationRanking by importance
adaptability · versatility · flexibility · capability · dexterity · efficiency
Series of actions
- threadsTwisted fiber strands
- concurrentHappening at once
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- CPUMain computing chip
kernel · multiprocessing · time-slicing · processor · foreground · resources · execution · preemptive
juggling
Sequential toss-and-catch performance
- prioritizingOrdering by importance
- workflowSequential task progression
- schedulingAssigning times to events
delegation · organizing · planning · coordination · streamlining · optimization · efficiency · execution · agile · adaptability
deadline
Time limit for completion
- hecticIntensely busy, almost overwhelming
- fast-pacedMoving or changing quickly
- busyActively occupied with tasks
workflow · agenda · responsibilities · meetings · emails · projects · demanding · high-pressure · office · professional
burnout
Chronic occupational depletion
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- overloadBurden beyond capacity
swamped · frazzled · chaotic · anxiety · overcommitted · overburdened · pressured · scattered · fragmented · distracted
competence
Adequate ability to function
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- adeptnessHighly developed ability
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
prioritization · adaptability · versatility · flexibility · capability · dexterity · efficiency
processes
Series of actions
- threadsTwisted fiber strands
- concurrentHappening at once
- schedulingAssigning times to events
CPU · kernel · multiprocessing · time-slicing · processor · foreground · resources · execution · preemptive · cooperative
- generalistsgeneralist, all-rounder, jack of all trades, jack-of-all-trades, polymath
multi-taskingsingle-tasking
Focusing on one activity
undivided attention · focused attention · tunnel vision · laser focus · full attention
multi-taskingdeep work
Uninterrupted cognitively demanding labor
unitasking · monotasking · batch processing · sustained attention · time blocking