RE: BE WARE - Multitasking is a MYTH!
I think you contradicted yourself a bit in this article. You said there was no such thing as multitasking but then you discussed "background tasks" that you can do without needing your full attention while doing something else. Isn't that still multitasking?
Like cooking dinner while having a conversation with your spouse or friend? Or, in the case of something I JUST did: tying my son's shoe for him while telling him he needs to pick up some toys before heading outside to play.
I do agree though that you shouldn't try to do two things that both need your full attention at once. Like the question you asked, writing an important email while on a sales call isn't the best idea. BUT, you could eat lunch while composing that email.
I think that multitasking is possible, but one of the tasks you are doing at the same time needs to be one that is basically automatic (tying shoes, laundry, cooking, etc).
I agree with you :) & also agree with @nuridin that you cannot do 2 things in the best way possible at the same time. To do one thing as good as you can, you need to give all of your attention to it.
That's background tasking (tying shoes, laundry, cooking,etc).... those background tasks are done subconsciously without needing your attention. My argument still stands. I make a distinction between "multi-tasking" and "background" tasking. I define multitasking by trying to do more than one important thing that require your attention at the same time I define background tasking as doing things which don't require you attention. There is no exceptional talent in doing background tasking, since they just require habitual skills that you already have. Most people who brag about being "Multi-taskers" actually don't even refer to those "background" tasks, but rather try to brag about doing multiple important tasks that need their attention. And I say, it's a myth. They can never multi-task while giving full attention and delivering high quality.