Multitasking

More and more is expected of us all the time. As they were growing up, my children learnt how to multitask as they went along: one eye on the TV and the other on WhatsApp, Facebook, the internet and, oh yes, a textbook in preparation for an exam the next day. Their young heads can cope with it all with ease.

But multitasking is something we all do. It’s currently the height of the trade show season in the food sector. The last trade show has barely finished before it’s time to set up your stand for the next one. In the meantime you’re expected to follow up on the leads, make appointments and preferably bring home some new orders, and of course you need to respond to your emails promptly and keep on top of the growing pile of post on your desk.

Today, I feel like a mega-multitasker because our company is moving to new premises. Surrounded by boxes and cables and without even a chair or a desk, I’m making phone calls and answering queries as if everything is completely normal. After all, the world keeps turning. I simply put down my screwdriver, log on to my PC (which is still in the old office) using my smartphone and I’m back to reality. I now just need to order some new lamps from a webshop while making myself a cup of coffee – from our professional espresso machine of course (yes, that was the first thing we installed!); in fact, it’s starting to sound like ‘Multitasking 2.0’.

The technology helps, but at the end of the day it’s all about our minds being able to switch rapidly from one task to another. Sometimes I’m amazed that our brains don’t short-circuit!

Saskia Stender