multitasking
Doing several things
Multitasking is doing multiple things at once, or switching rapidly between tasks.
Computers multitask by running several programs simultaneously.
People multitask less efficiently than they imagine—studies suggest the brain handles sequential attention rather than true parallel processing: I was multitasking during the meeting and missed half of what was said.
The word often appears as a verb: She multitasked her way through the workday.
Focused mental awareness
- focusConcentrated attention point
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- brainpowerIntellectual capacity
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
Sequential task progression
- prioritizationRanking by importance
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- schedulingAssigning times to events
organization · batching · delegation · throughput · optimization · goal-oriented · output · performance
Concurrent execution across CPUs
- multithreadingParallel execution paths
- CPUMain computing chip
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- kernelSeed or essential core
threads · concurrency · time-slicing · foreground · processor · virtualization · queue · runtime
Achieving equal distribution
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- simultaneousHappening at same time
- parallelEquidistant at all points
handling · managing · switching · act · circus · dexterity · timing · rhythm
Chronic occupational depletion
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- overloadBurden beyond capacity
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
distracted · swamped · frazzled · anxiety · chaos · overwhelmed · fatigue · pressure
Multiskilled non-specialist
- generalistOne with broad expertise
- all-rounderMulti-skilled person
- polymathMulti-domain expert
- cross-trainedTaught additional job functions
multi-skilled · adaptable · flexible · versatile · resourceful
attention
Focused mental awareness
- focusConcentrated attention point
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- brainpowerIntellectual capacity
workflow
Sequential task progression
- prioritizationRanking by importance
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- deadlineTime limit for completion
scheduling · organization · batching · delegation · throughput · optimization · goal-oriented · output · performance · streamlined
multiprocessing
Concurrent execution across CPUs
- multithreadingParallel execution paths
- CPUMain computing chip
- schedulingAssigning times to events
kernel · threads · concurrency · time-slicing · foreground · processor · virtualization · queue · runtime · execution
balancing
Achieving equal distribution
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- simultaneousHappening at same time
parallel · handling · managing · switching · act · circus · dexterity · timing · rhythm · flow
burnout
Chronic occupational depletion
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- overloadBurden beyond capacity
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
scattered · distracted · swamped · frazzled · anxiety · chaos · overwhelmed · fatigue · pressure · unfocused
jack-of-all-trades
Multiskilled non-specialist
- generalistOne with broad expertise
- all-rounderMulti-skilled person
- polymathMulti-domain expert
cross-trained · multi-skilled · adaptable · flexible · versatile · resourceful
- productivity killersdistractions, procrastination, wasted time, micromanagement, bottleneck
- divided attentionparallel processing, context switching
- learning mistakesprocrastination, cramming, skipping steps, poor time management, ignoring feedback
- mental limitscognitive load, cognitive overload, mental fatigue, working memory, attention span
- work methodsworkflow, delegation, prioritizing, time management, standardizing
- CPU Schedulingscheduler, round robin, round-robin, FIFO, time slice
multitaskingsingle-tasking
Focusing on one activity
monotasking · focusing · focussing · undivided attention · unitasking
- multitasking toolsImplements with multiple capabilities
- media multitaskingConsuming multiple channels simultaneously
task, multiply, multiple, tasks, tasking, multiplicity, multitask, multiplex, multitasked