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Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert, Call me at 850-517-7098 (PMI. Destin)

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Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

When I think multi-tasking, I visualize an octopus.  What I believe is I am not an octopus.  What others believe may work for them.

Sep 09, 2019 06:10 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I gave up on multi-tasking years ago. I like to concentrate fully on one thing at a time.

Sep 09, 2019 06:11 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

Multitasking; overlaying tasks. I find it effective under the right conditions. For me, I'd rather concentrate on one thing at a time but if I am on hold on the phone I will handle other work while I wait. I work (off the phone) while I eat my breakfast & lunch. That kind of multitasking works good for me. 

Sep 09, 2019 05:55 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

A juggler, using bowling balls.

Sep 09, 2019 06:32 AM
Ambassador
3,125,819
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Depends Peter...I can put a pot of water on to boil and vaccuum the house, talk hands-free on the phone while painting my fingernails/toe nails but driving down the road at 65mph putting on makeup is a no-no. When working with clients, I give the entire focus to them by being present, paying attention, answering their questions and giving advice.

Sep 09, 2019 06:30 AM
Rainer
21,759
Mike Easton
Movement Bank - Charlotte, NC
Creative lending solutions from coast to coast

the key for me is to always start the day with my to-do list because otherwise i will end up getting side tracked into too many multi tasks and not see as many to completion as i should. it's essential to multi  task but prioritizing needs to be paired with it 

Sep 09, 2019 06:10 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

It really depends on whether to end product is the result of stringing more than 3 thoughts together.

To be frank, that is the limit of the depth of thinking of most.

Those who can string 5 thoughts together are know as experts and these are the one who state Multitasking is not productive.

The end product of most activities does not require an expert.

Sep 09, 2019 05:59 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

In real estate it is a must. There are ways it works and ways it slows you down. It works such as you wait for one thing and can start a second thing. It works when talking on the phone and being able to answer this question. It doesnt work when it slows you down from completing task 1 as you start task 2 or 3. But it can work when you need to show progress on task 2 while working on task 1. Such as sending out a listing sheet while finishing a bpo. 

Sep 09, 2019 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

I'd rather do one thing at the time.

Sep 09, 2019 06:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I believe it all depends on what the "tasks" are Peter Mohylsky . If they are totally unrelated and you are doing them at the same time then NO, it doesn't work.

Sep 09, 2019 06:19 AM
Ambassador
5,230,057
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I do it all of the time - I drive and make calls (hands-free), drive and listen to a pod cast, drive and listen to an audiobook...

I've negotiated many a Contract from a bedside when assisting a family member - changing a dressing, etc. No one had a clue!

I'm on hold right this second (waiting for a lender to get back to me), while I comment here!

YES, I do it and it does add to productivity. It may not be effective for everyone but, it works for me. 

Sep 09, 2019 11:18 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Highly over-rated.  I've talked with people who praise their multi-tasking abilities and they cannot finish a sentence and have little to no focus.  Scattered energy is not for me - either sending or receiving. 

For me, it is about being fully present. 

I am head down and laser-focused person. 

Sep 09, 2019 09:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Multitasking depends on the person. I think we all multitask to some degree BUT there are many who seem to excel at it and are effective. I am not an effective multitasker

Sep 09, 2019 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Multitasking - doing two or more things not nearly as efficiently or effectively as if you did one thing.  Efficiency/Effectiveness = 100 / N(umber of things being done)

Sep 09, 2019 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

I guess that is going to depend on the definition one chooses to use for themselves. But in my opinion it is more efficient to complete the cycle of action one has started before starting another. Too much time and energy and train of thought and orientation is lost switching back and forth between cycles.

Sep 09, 2019 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Let us not underestimate the stimulus given-off muli-tasking. Its a rush....

Sep 09, 2019 06:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

No, I don't.  I even wrote. a post about this recently.  I find that it saves time to do one thing at a time, and to do it well giving it your full attention.  A

Sep 09, 2019 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We need to give priority to the most important tasks.

Sep 09, 2019 06:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Depends, Peter. 

But really one thing at the time is the best one.

Sep 09, 2019 02:00 PM
Rainmaker
634,531
Jason E. Gordon
CMG Mortgage, San Diego, CA - San Diego, CA
Sr Loan Officer, CMA, CMPS, CDLP, CDRE, RCSD, CDPE

Sadly enough, since a significant percentage of salespeople tend to have some level of ADHD, multi-tasking is the primary option for them (since it is difficult to focus on only one thing at a time).  

By the way, I'm on the phone and feeding my pets while I am writing this (kidding)

Sep 09, 2019 10:49 AM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

No I generally focus on whatever is in front of me. How they heck  do people multi-task several things at once and remember what they're doing? I find it takes a shorter period of time if I don't have distractions versus if I have to attend to something else, and then come back around and figure out where I was going with whatever....and begin again.

Sep 09, 2019 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

It all depends upon the importance of the tasks to be completed. Some items should be done without any distraction

Sep 09, 2019 08:21 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

at any one time, one thing is more important than another.....and that most important task is what you should do first.... only one task at a time, and finish it with quality..... 

there is no such thing as "multi tasking" ........ that's a synonym for "half-assed".....

Sep 09, 2019 08:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

It depends on the tasks. I'm waiting for phone call and email right now, goofing off in here. Getting ready to take off in a bit. And making breakfast for me and the dog.
If I was writing up a deal, I would do so without any distractions.

Sep 09, 2019 08:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Neuro-science will tell you it is hard enough to focus on one thing.

Sep 09, 2019 06:43 PM
Rainmaker
815,253
Paul Antonelli
Antonelli Realty - Saint Cloud, FL
Broker Owner; Antonelli Realty

Personally, I feel that time blocking is a better way. So you are giving your full attention to one task at a time and there is less room for issues to arise. 

Sep 09, 2019 12:18 PM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

It depends on your definiton of multi tasting. If I have 10 projects/transactions going at the same time, I need to be mindful that each is being moved forward as is required. Usually it's in bit pieces, like right now I'm waiting for a call back from a listing agent, while I'm waiting I am writing this. Is that multi tasking?

Sep 09, 2019 11:02 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Multi-tasking is physically and mentally impossible.  You can move quickly from one task to another but you can't, literally, do more than one thing ata time.  Many jobs require the ability to move from one thing to another (and back) in rapid succession.  Efficient or not... it is sometimes necessary. 

To answer the question, though, multi-tasking is not the most efficient way to do anything.

Sep 09, 2019 10:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,160,412
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Peter Mohylsky sometimes multitasking is necessary.

Sep 09, 2019 03:21 PM
Rainer
182,915
Harjeet Bhatti
FITH THIRD BANK - Chicago, IL
Home Mortgage Consultant 25 States

Multitasking is still working for me. But  I do think its not effective way to getting things done but its my job requirement. 

Sep 09, 2019 02:05 PM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

I'm a less efficient multi-tasker now than I was when I was younger.

Sep 09, 2019 01:32 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A good perspective on this in The One Thing book.

Sep 09, 2019 01:11 PM
Rainmaker
55,355
Krystin Mitchell, CPA CFE
KLSM CPA Firm, PLLC - Houston, TX
Strategic Accounting & Tax Solutions

Hi Peter, 

I think it depends on the task. Tasks that require a high level of thought and input cannot be multitasked in my opinion because starting and stopping takes more time than if you had worked the task/project straight through. 

On the other hand if you have longer tasks that you can plan to do or have running in the background before you start your project than you have effective multi-tasking.

 

Sep 10, 2019 06:32 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Multitasking is doing more than one thing at once and splitting your concentration. Not my cup of tea!

Sep 10, 2019 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Trying to catch up when you fall behind...

Sep 09, 2019 10:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

When I was younger, I was effective at multi-tasking.  Not as much now.

Sep 24, 2019 07:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

It works for some people and I am one that can make calls and still do other things while the phone is ringing.

 

Sep 15, 2019 08:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Multitasking  is another skill which is not one of my strengths. Truth is...I am not always good at single-tasking.

Sep 13, 2019 10:34 PM