>>So I created a blog page on Wordpress and just created my first post on multitasking. I know there are many articles on that topic, but I tried to create a concise description how it affects specifically a software programmer's productivity.
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>>http://cisberner.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/the-software-programmers-biggest-sin-multitasking/
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>>I would be happy to get some opinions about this.
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>On a personal level, I can only do one thing at a time. For me multitasking is a concept that exists in someone’s mind and interferes with productivity. Can you in fact do more than one thing at a time? I am using the third person for that question.
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>A person may realize that more than one thing is on his or her plate at the same point in time. As you are working on one thing you may allow the other things to interfere with what you are trying to accomplish. Now we get into prioritizing your tasks. That is a bit of an art and allows you to focus on that which must be done in a specific order.
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>I have met people who actually think that the least important task is the first one to be done. This has occurred after a manager specifically states the importance and timeliness of an element of work. This leads to stress for everyone.
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>So I am suggesting that our actions are geared to being serialized while our brains can think in abstract and fleeting terms. Without the ability to set priorities and follow through it is difficult to accomplish a task let alone several at the same time.
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>I have been in a number of stressful situations during my lifetime, as a member of the military or as a civilian. Some events I have experienced were life and death and others were to make customers or management happy. You have to appraise the situation, and know how and when to respond. If you are on your own then you are the boss. If you are working for someone then you have to buy into the same order of things.
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>I remember the words of my mother as my brother and I were making demands of her: “I can only do one thing at a time”! My mom was so cool under fire from any source. Do not get upset at external or internal demands. Just understand what must be done and in what order.


Good points, well said.