Poll: How good are you at "multitasking" at work? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How good are you at "multitasking" at work?".
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According to the myth (and even some studies) women are better at multitasking than men, but I for one can’t multitask, I do struggle when performing different tasks simultaneously. I’m organized, I need to do things in order for each thing to fell in place, otherwise…
| | | | Cecília Alves 
Argentina
Local time: 01:21
Member (2011)
English to Portuguese
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| If I could... | Mar 22, 2025 |
...have my own clone, I'd be great at multitasking. 
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I would say that most people who work from home do a pretty good multitasking, even without noticing.
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Dan Lucas
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:21
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
| The research suggests that... | Mar 23, 2025 |
..."multitasking" (which is just repeated/swift context switching) has a negative impact on performance.
I therefore put down "Average" as I believe that I am no more or less affected than anybody else.
(However this intriguing study suggests that if an individual thinks he is multitasking but actually is focusing only on a single task, performance improves!)... See more ..."multitasking" (which is just repeated/swift context switching) has a negative impact on performance.
I therefore put down "Average" as I believe that I am no more or less affected than anybody else.
(However this intriguing study suggests that if an individual thinks he is multitasking but actually is focusing only on a single task, performance improves!)
Regards,
Dan ▲ Collapse
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Terrible. I'm terrible at multitasking. To work effectively, I need to focus on a single task until it's finished, or until I reach some previously determined break point. Then I can switch my full attention to a new target and repeat the same process.
But if I try to switch between two or more tasks that I'm working on simultaneously, then I won't accomplish anything.
Not anything good, anyway.
| | | | Lingua 5B
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 06:21
English to French
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| Yes, this… or executive function? | Mar 23, 2025 |
Dan Lucas wrote:
..."multitasking" (which is just repeated/swift context switching)
Exactely, examples of exact simultaneous would be right/left hand in piano playing, or juggling three balls. Otherwise it’s just so called “executive function” which is the ability to go to the next, maybe unrelated task, without thinking of the previous task. Example, translating a nuclear physics text, then go wash your car while being fully focused on the car washing only.
Now people are good at this to varying degrees but CEOs and managers should be super good at this. Yes, it even applies to situations when someone upsets you, to shake it off and go fully focused onto the next task.
| | | | Annette Fehr
France
Local time: 06:21
French to English
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| It depends... | Mar 23, 2025 |
"Multitasking," like drinking and breathing at the same time, or like slipping on a banana peel while simultaneously breaking a crystal glass? If it's the first one, I manage, but if it's the second, I'm really great at it!
... Seriously, the only reason I chose "not great" is because "astoundingly terrible" wasn't among the options.
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IrinaN (X)
United States
Local time: 23:21
English to Russian
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| I don't understand the question | Mar 23, 2025 |
What does "simultaneously" mean for a translator? Typing with one hand and washing dishes with the other? Jumping between two projects - alternating sentences in one and then the other?
Translating and doing small chores or errands on breaks? Talking to a different or the same client about the next assignment? Checking your emails and answering phone calls along the way? I had no problem with any of the above, my life did not stop and, honestly, this is not what I would call multit... See more What does "simultaneously" mean for a translator? Typing with one hand and washing dishes with the other? Jumping between two projects - alternating sentences in one and then the other?
Translating and doing small chores or errands on breaks? Talking to a different or the same client about the next assignment? Checking your emails and answering phone calls along the way? I had no problem with any of the above, my life did not stop and, honestly, this is not what I would call multitasking.
When you are a translator and interpreter for the same project working at the remote site, multitasking becomes your middle name. A memo that you need to drop in the middle for an urgent 15-min face-to-face interpretation of the entirely different subject, a telecon, a 2-hour meeting, a couple of hours at the shop supporting assembly work, all in one day, and even driving the team to the hotel at times is what you do day in, day out.
Add the responsibilities of a team lead for 5 interpreters, responsible for scheduling, some logistics, tag-ups, transportation and access to external facilities requests etc with all the above still on the plate.
Still, I'd love to know what the colleagues who do translation only call multitasking.
[Edited at 2025-03-24 11:26 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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