Multi-Tasking: 40 Useful Performance Feedback Phrases

Multi-Tasking allows one to juggle and perform more than one task at a time without losing track of what you are working on or dropping the ball.

Multi-Tasking: Exceeds Expectations Phrases

• Evaluates when multitasking is necessary; whether it is going to help one get more work done or it is only going to result to one doing multiple tasks slowly or badly
• Sets aside time for intense or complex tasks that require one's full concentration
• Chooses tasks that are fluent, routine, and familiar to multi-task or those that do require one's full focus to accomplish
• Selects one's tasks, with a general sequence of events in mind, in order to complete them without needless repetition or redundancy
• Starts the more involved or longer tasks first, and fills in the gaps with the shorter, self-contained or well-defined tasks
• Thinks about whether there are resources to manage or distribute other than own time and attention
• Works ahead; starts early to set up and prepare when one knows there will be a big rush
• Allows extra time for interruptions when planning for how long one expects everything else to take
• Sets a timer or makes a mental note to remind oneself to pay attention to a task when one gets distracted
• Eliminates unnecessary tasks from one's plan in order to be more efficient

Multi-Tasking: Meets Expectations Phrases

• Makes a list of things one need to refer to often and puts it next to one's computer for quick access
• Chooses tasks that can be paused easily especially when one's multitasking involves dealing with multiple interruptions
• Keeps a selection of simpler projects or smaller tasks and performs them while waiting for inspiration or information on a larger project
• Uses waiting time efficiently; always has a portable task to do such as reading especially in places where one anticipates waiting
• Takes breaks when one needs them in order to balance rushes and refresh one's mind for tasks that require intense focus
• Posts one's to-do list in a prominent place spot in order to remind oneself what really needs to get done
• Simplifies tasks that one cannot eliminate such as routine tasks and tries to perform them in as much detail as they require
• Pauses tasks at natural points, such as the end of a page, and does what one needs to, to remind oneself to resume
• Chooses compatible tasks such as reading a book and clearing your desk and does them together
• Shifts multitasking to single-tasking throughout the day to allow one's mind to reboot

Multi-Tasking: Needs Improvement Phrases

• Waits until one is already in the middle of a task to decide what else one needs to accomplish
• Does not know how to differentiate between tasks that need one's complete attention and those that work well with multi-tasking
• Often loses focus and track of tasks when presented with multiple tasks that demand one's full attention at work
• Spends most of one's time on tasks that do well with multi-tasking and forgets the most important tasks on one's job description
• Finishes one task and moves to the next but still thinks about the task one has just finished
• Starts thinking of other things that one needs to do thus is not able to give full attention to the task at hand
• Does not split up the steps for each task or create mini-deadlines for easier management thus fails to complete tasks on time
• Does not cluster tasks and subtasks to how, what, and where one needs to complete them thus one is unable to differentiate between online and offline tasks
• Does not ask for help or advice from colleagues when one is stuck thus wastes valuable time trying to figure things out
• Does not take breaks in between tasks to reassess new information or let one's mind rest

Multi-Tasking: Self Evaluation Questions

• Describe a time when you have had to perform multiple tasks at the same time. What are some of the challenges you faced?
• What effect does handling many things simultaneously have on you? When is the last time this happened?
• What system do you use to keep track of multiple projects? How has this helped you meet deadlines?
• Describe a situation that required you to do a number of things at the same time. How did you handle it?
• How do you prioritize your tasks to make sure that all are attended to and that they meet deadlines?
• What are some of the ways and techniques that you have found to make handling of multiple tasks easier and more effective?
• What is the most difficult multi-tasking experience you have ever had? What did you do and what was the outcome?
• Are there times when you have been interrupted while multi-tasking? What happened? What have you done to reduce or avoid interruptions?
• What tips have you used to differentiate tasks that fit well in multi-tasking from those that require your undivided attention?
• What are some of the resources you have used for effective multi-tasking other than your own time and attention?