How are your efforts at multitasking? As you get older, do you find it easier or harder to do multiple tasks? Are there some things that require 100% attention? Has trying to multitask cost you or helped you? As you get age, does it seem more difficult to keep track of things?

 When I was working it was all about multi-tasking; nothing would have gotten done if it wasn't done that way.  When now that I'm retired I think about doing that, I can just feel the stress levels go up.  When your young and have lots of energy and strength, that stress seems to charge you up, liking meeting and conquering a challenge. Now it just seems exhausting. Edey

I agree with Edey. I used to thrive on working hard and doing several things at once. A challenge put a zing in my day. Not any more, though. All I get from multitasking is stress and fatigue - not to mention having to take many, many notes so I don't forget what I'm supposed to be doing! I have learned organization out of sheer necessity, though.  

Thank You Both for expressing EXACTLY what I'm facing right now. I thought it was just me.

Well, I'm only 35, but I am older than I used to be!  I multitask at work and at home.  I know things would probably be done "better" if I just did one thing at a time.  I am very organized so I know that helps me. I don't know that my memory has much to do with my multitasking except to remember to go to the laundry room when the timer goes off so I can do more laundry, or that I do have a couple of deadlines that are the same each month at work, so I do put those on the calendar and keep up with them that way.

Before i retired a year ago,  all I did on my days off was multitask.  Everything just HAD to be done on time and in 2 days.  now.....actually who cares. Who needs all that stress and fatigue.   I think the older you get , the less it matters if something is not done .  does anyone else in retirement feel that way????

I am not very good at multi-tasking.

I can do a load of laundry while I am cooking. If I put the laundry in to wash, I can then go downstairs and cook.

If I'm downstairs, I can cook something in the oven while I watch tv if I remember to set a timer.

I cannot do anything else if I am trying to write checks to pay bills. I make too many mistakes then.

I can do needlepoint while I am reading if I listen to books on tape.

I can get several errands done on the same tank of gas if I have lists and I am going in the same direction (example-all errands in or near Newport News) so that I do not backtrack.

I find that I need printed lists for groceries if I want to get everything that I need. I organize my coupons before I grocery shop so that I get all of my savings.

karen kay:

I think the older you get , the less it matters if something is not done .  does anyone else in retirement feel that way????

 

I'm not in full retirement yet, but I do feel that way. There are things that I just don't get done any more. Also I think it depends on our perception of how much there is to do.  You know they say that if you want something done, ask a busy person. If I make a list and set my mind to getting it done, I can accomplish a lot, but if I don't do that, I let a lot of things slide. 

I went around the whole question didn't I.  oh my.  on good days i do try to multitask.  but it is harder to remember what i had started to begin with.  i start one thing, then on my way to another room, i start something else and completely forget what i started in first place.  now whether that is because im older or whether i dont have to hurry now, i dont know.??????

Some days are better than others for me. When I was younger and raising kids, it was like being on "automatic pilot" and not thinking about the best way to execute each task. I just managed to find what worked best for me and went with that. Now that I spend time here on Dollar Stretcher, I have found better ways to do things. Although I'm not as busy as I used to be, I still have my routine and prefer not to take on as much. I agree with what VNW said about trying to do specific tasks. I do enjoy doing needlework and listening to books on CD or watching a show. For some reason that type of multitasking doesn't cause me stress. But if I'm driving or shopping, then my attention is on that.