Monday, November 16, 2009

Research on Multi tasking

To better understand executive control, as wee as the human capacity for multitasking and its limitations, Rubeinstein, Meyer and Evans studied patterns in the amoumnts of time lost whemn people switched repeatedly between two tasks of varying complexity amd familiarity. In four experiements, young adult subjects switched between different takss , such as solving math problems or classifying geometric objects. The researchers measured subjects' speed of performance as a function of whether the successive tasks were familiar or unfamiliar, and whether the rules for performing them were simple or complex.

The measurements revealed that for all tyhpes of tasks, subjects lost time when they had to switch from one task to another, and time costs increased with the complexity of tasks , so it took significantly longer to switch between more complex tasks. Time costs also were greater when subjects switched to tasks that were relatively unfamiliar.
They got up to speed faster when they switched to tasks they knew better, an observation that may lead to inte4rfaces designed to help overcome people's innate cognitive limitations.

Next time: If it is so harmful to your brain, what can you do!!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Multitasking 3

Studying the "Inner CEO" can improve interface design, personnel training and diagnosis of brain damage. Recent scientific studies reveal the hidden costs of multitasking, key findings such as technology increasingly temps people to do more than one thing (and increasingly, more thanone complicated thing) at a time. Joshua Rubeinstein, Ph.D. of the Federal Aviation Administration and David Meyer, Ph.D and Jeffrey Evans Ph.D both at the University of Michigan describe their research the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance" published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

To better understand executive control, as well as, the human capacity for multitasking and its limitations, these three studied patterns in the amounts of time lost whne people switched repeatedly between two tasks of varying complexity and familiarity.

Tomorrow, I'll go into what they found. It will greatly interest YOU!!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Multitasking 2 continued

Attention Deficit trait takes hold when we get overloaded with incoming messages and competing tasks that we are unable to prioritize. The result is not only distractibility, impulsiveness and haste but also feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Individuals believe it is their fault that they are falling behind. They think they have to sleep less and work harder and stay later at the office, which only makes it worse because they're not taking care of their brain by getting enough sleep.

Dr. Edward Hallowell was asked how common is this phenomenon. His response, "It's rampant". He indicated that whenever he lectures around the country, there's instant identification.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

MULTITASKING: WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND

Dr. Edward Hallowell, a Psyhiatrist specializing in Attention Deficit Disorder in Sudbury, Mass. has seen the fallout of multitasking walk into his office five days a week. The number of patients increased ten-fold in a ten year period with symptons closely resembling those of ADD but of a work-induced variety.

The symptons included: increased irritibility, decreased productivity, disorganization, making black/white decisions or shooting from the hip instead of taking the time to think through the decision adequately and all felt pressured to get things done quickly.

In contrast to his regular ADD patients, Dr. Hallowell noticed that these patients felt frantic only in certain situations, mainly in the workplace or for at home moms, while managing the home front.

Dr. Hollowell named this condition Attention Deficit Trait (ADT)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Values: The Key to Making Decisions

It is important to identify your top three values in life for they have a profound impact on how you respond to situations, make decisions and set goals. My top three values are Education, Purposefulness and Independence. These influence everything I do in my life. I read and research constantly in all areas of my life. I am a lifelong learner and have a thirst for knowledge. (EDUCATION) But, I want to utilize that knowledge to impact lives and help people to overcome the obstacles to personal or professional success. My Branding Slogan is that I am a KNOWLEDGE ARCHITECT. For I take all of the knowledge that I have and can learn and shape it to fit my client's needs and design programs, workshops or seminars (and coaching) that fit their particular needs or requests. Therefore, I live and work in a life of PURPOSE. My third value is INDEPENDENCE. I value being able to select the work that I do, to go when I need to go and to change directions immediately when needed.

Every decision you make is related to your values. Knowing your values will also save a huge amount of time for a person who has identified his/her values sets goals based upon them and then are able to choose only from activitIes or professional moves based upon their values and say no to the others. They provide a roadmap to fulfill your career goals.

Choose your top three values from the list below or add the values to the list that you have: They include:
Beauty, Freedom, Optimism, Challenge, Fulfillment, Persistence, Ethical Behavior, Loyalty, Success, Spirituality, Dedication, Innovation, Influence, Security, Creativity, Growth, Power Happiness, Purposefulness, Helping Others, Recognition, Courage, Honesty, Respect, Change, Choice, Consistency and Education.

Begin NOW, to set your career goals and make choices and decisions based upon your TOP THREE VALUES!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Behaviors Driven Business vs. Values Driven Business - My Dissertation

As I pursue the completion of my Ph.D. in Theology/Ministry, I determined that my interest in the differences between the Values Driven Business and the Behaviors Driven Business is a very worthy research topic to pursue. The "Values" that I am referring to are the values that we find in the book of Proverbs and is the basis for the LA RED, "Fountation for Achievement" Leadership Program. I have observed first hand the lack of balance in Behaviors Driven Businesses over the past few years from Washington, D.C . to other parts of the country. From the very beginning of my research, I have seen patterns that are obvious in each type of business. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you some of my research and some of my evaluations based upon my research which will serve as the core for my Ph.D. Dissertation.

The first obvious difference that I have observed is that Behaviors Driven Businesses are reactive in nature from the Leadership on down the chain to the employee. There is an instability that exists and usually no true strategic, well thought out plans. Conversly, the Values Driven Businesses are proactive in nature from the C Levels on down. Every decision, plan or contact with any employee is based upon building the individual and company on stable ground. The Values Driven company pursues a base of Human Behavior Understanding and an environment that supports the employees ideas, desire for growth and and a positive evaluation process that builds the enthusiasm, energy and knowledge base of the employee.

Over the next few weeks, I will address specific Values that I am concentrating on in my research for comparison with the Bahaviors Driven Business. My ultimate desire is to prove that companies who build and instill these values into their company and staff actually have more impact on their markets than the Bahaviors Driven Companies. I am interested in employee evaluations of their company in both areas. I think we will all be inspired to pursue these values in our lives, as well as, in our business.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Values Driven Business vs. Behaviors Driven Business

I am beginning a series on the differences, outcomes and culture of a Values Driven Business vs. a Bahaviors Driven Business. I have been conducting research on both and the benefits and outcomes of each type of leadership or management technique. One promotes employee value, employee enthusiasm, fairness and a financially sound future. The other promotes an environment that is unbalanced, a "just do the work" mentality, a business driven by behaviors as opposed to sound Strategic planning and management and ultimately leads to the best of the companies human capital and talent to leave, decisions that lead to loss of money for the that company.

So, each few days, I'll focus on one particular aspect of each. Look forward to your continued emails!!!!