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.

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

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. 

A juggler, using bowling balls.

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.

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 

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.

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. 

I'd rather do one thing at the time.

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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)

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.

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

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

We need to give priority to the most important tasks.

Depends, Peter. 

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

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)

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.

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

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".....

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.

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

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. 

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?

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.

Peter Mohylsky sometimes multitasking is necessary.

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

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

A good perspective on this in The One Thing book.

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.

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

Trying to catch up when you fall behind...

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

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

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