Category Archives: Personal productivity
The Allure (and Myth) of Multitasking
As I explain the Focus chapter in The Outstanding Organization, multitasking is a fallacy—you can only perform one cognitive task at a time. What you actually do is “switch-task,” which, according to Professor David Meyer at the University of Michigan, adds 20-40% … More ►
Hello Phone: Welcome Back!
A disciplined Lean thinker is always looking to improve his or her own personal efficiency and effectiveness. Lately I’ve had ample opportunity to explore how we’re using–or not using as the case may be–an “old-fashioned” tool: the telephone. Are you … More ►
Avoiding Organizational ADD
Outstanding organizations—indeed outstanding individuals—are highly proficient in two related skills: prioritization and focus. They don’t flit from one project or goal to the next, in many cases never completing them (or completing them well). They are masters at ignoring distractions, … More ►
