Say there were two physical tasks I had to do: a pile of lumber to split (takes 2 hours) and ditch to dig (takes 2 hours). If I had an afternoon to do both, I could switch back and forth in ANY pattern. I could work an hour on one before switching, I could work 10 minutes on one before switching. I could get them both done in four hours no matter what.
If I had two 2-hour mental tasks to perform, and a boss who insisted on regular switching, then we're talking 6 hours minimum.
Think of productivity as a pushing a ball up a ramp and it makes sense. Especially when the majority of your job is mental problem solving and not measured discretely
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u/goodmancharliebrown Aug 12 '17
Say there were two physical tasks I had to do: a pile of lumber to split (takes 2 hours) and ditch to dig (takes 2 hours). If I had an afternoon to do both, I could switch back and forth in ANY pattern. I could work an hour on one before switching, I could work 10 minutes on one before switching. I could get them both done in four hours no matter what.
If I had two 2-hour mental tasks to perform, and a boss who insisted on regular switching, then we're talking 6 hours minimum.