There really is no such thing as multitasking. Our brain switches quickly from one task to another. The usual result is poor results. More is to be gained by full focus and attention than multitasking in most cases.

We have the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. The subconscious can be thought of as the automatic mind. The automatic mind can work while the conscious mind does without losing any productivity. For example, our heart can beat without conscious thought. We can develop skill in many tasks so they become automatic. For example we can walk without much conscious thought so we can do something else while we walk. We can even walk and chew gum automatically so still do something with our conscious mind.

A note on safety. High awareness of our surroundings helps us keep safe. The more involved our conscious mind is, the less aware we are of our surroundings. So be safe - be aware. This especially applies when driving.

1 – listening to audiobooks while driving , exercising or doing housework is a great way to multitask (as long as you are safety aware). If you listen to music, listening to an audiobook with the same attention should be easy. Good audiobooks can also be stimulating so make the time pass faster.

2 – Doing Blackberry during “waits”. I tracked the number of short snips of time I had waiting during a day. I had 26 “waits” for things like elevators, on the elevator, in lines etc. These short snips of time added up to being able to clear many emails and to also keep in touch with what was happening. It reduced my stress because I knew there were no crisis needing attention. Part of who I am is highly responsive so using these short snips also allowed me to be responsive.

3 – Do an activity with a friend. I value friendships but often feel too time crunched to stay in touch. I am going to work out anyways – may as well do it with a friend. I find some of my closest friendships develop by sharing running or workout time.

4 – While eating. To quote author Keith Ferrazzi – “Never eat alone”. The only caveat I make here is to not stretch my meal beyond what I would anyways and sometimes eating with other people can do that.

5 – Plant the seed. When I have a challenge that needs solving, I brainstorm about. I make notes. I research and I read. Then I leave it. In many cases, a solution or idea comes to me while I am doing something else. In this case, the multitasking part is done by the subconscious.

6 – Fully use waiting time. Often we are waiting for planes, buses, meals. I always carry reading to fill these “waiting” times. So wait and read can be easily done together.

So I do not believe in multitasking unless one of the tasks can be handled by the automatic mind.

My Time Management Book has lots of other tips on how to save time.