Multitasking: Master Everything at the Same Time

Now that some of you have just finished sending a text message, before reading this blog, please finish driving before trying to read this on the road. Also, put that sandwich down and focus on one thing at a time. Texting and eating while driving is not safe for anyone. Regardless, I see so many people do this day in and day out. One person even tried to harpoon my car, by throwing a hunting arrow at me while driving down the highway (which actually happened in real life). This is an example of multitasking mastery, whether or not you would consider this to be good or bad.

Considering Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder comes with the benefit of Hyperfocus, there is another side of that coin that allows us to seamlessly flow through multiple tasks at once. The weakness of having poor short term memory is very well countered by having stronger long term memory, than average. The way short term memory works with ADHD is not always the same as the average forgetful Joe.

Typically, having short term memory means that information committed to the mind is quickly and permanently discarded. With ADHD, chances are that information was never committed in the first place, or whatever was committed has moved on to a happy place hidden in our brains, like our very own Never-Never Land. That Never-Never Land is essentially where all of our long term memory is stored for safe keeping, to one day return when we are older... even if that means only five minutes older.

This can be frustrating to people who do not understand this, and are observing or collaborating with an ADHD mind. However, if left to our own devices, we will shift back and forth between tasks; often times not even realizing how many things we are working on simultaneously. This is also partly where impulsive behavior derives from, since ADHD folks are constantly shifting channels when not locked into Hyperfocus.

What exactly does multitasking look like, with ADHD?

1. New information is taken in, upon observation or task initiation.

2. This bit of information devolves back into "Never-Never Land," to eventually return to mind.

3. Newer information digests.

4. The newer bit of information also finds its way back into long-term memory, for later consideration.

5. The original bit of information now returns from "Never-Never Land," as if no time has passed, whatsoever. (the newer information is as if it never existed, at this time)

6. Information continues to endlessly cycle until all tasks are completed or strings of thought have concluded.

As you may have noticed, ADHD thinking patterns skip around endlessly, and even impulsively. We have already discussed hyperfocus as the exception to this. When left to muddle in madness, the ADHD mind can skip around to various tasks, of its choosing, naturally and effortlessly.

If you have ADHD, you will find that chaos is managed with ease, but the second you need to dedicate focus to a single task for a short matter of 30 minutes, the road gets rocky. This blog post was meant to discuss how we can master multitasking, but the catch is that we are already masters of true multitasking. The only secret to honing your multitasking skill is to surround yourself with multiple tasks at once, perhaps five or so. Accept shifting channels to various items of necessity or interest, without trying to force focus on one thing at a time.

The minute we try to dedicate focus on one item at a time, hyperfocus become a necessity. Avoid the thirty minute to an hour long trap, nothing will get done when trying to force focus on one item for short spells. My next update will be on general tips and tricks for handling multitasking like a master. Until then, crank that dial...