Multitasking

Much is said about multitasking, focus and time management. I read, watched and listened to many people telling me how to approach things.

Focus on one thing per day!

Schedule your emails!

Do the hardest things first!

I guess this is good advice, but it doesn’t apply to everyone. I get bored quickly, so I organise my days in a way that I have lots of different things to do, and I jump from one to another.

But it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that I heard a good description of that approach.

I was listening to the latest Lex Fridman podcast with Walter Isaacson (a biographer) about his latest book on Elon Musk. 

The question was, how does Musk organise his time when he runs like ten companies plus posts dank memes on Twitter (sorry, X!) all the time?

Isaacson explained that after observing Elon for a long time, he concluded that he isn’t a multitasker but rather a serial tasker. This means he focuses on one thing at a time and switches to the next task straight after, with a full focus.

Now, I’m not comparing myself to Musk, but I felt it was an excellent description of an approach that isn’t always discussed. 

Some people like to have a variety during the day, but it doesn’t mean they are distracted or like multitasking. No, it still means focusing on one thing at a time but being able to switch to another one quickly with the same intensity of focus.

I guess I now have to start a space company or buy a social media website.

PODCAST PRODUCER LATEST

The future is now.

There is a lot of talk about AI, but most people focus on language models like GPT or graphic models like Midjourney.

Why?

Because everyone can use them, and the effects are instant. However, a significant change is coming to many industries, audio being one.

Recently, there have been loads of new tools and plugins from small companies that use AI models to help people like me with editing, audio restoration and production. 

Only last week, I required two additional plugins, and I am already using them.

The development speed is incredible, and big boys like iZotope must watch out. I love iZotope Rx as much as the next guy, but if they don’t come out with new solutions fast, I can see a future when I rely on them less and less, especially since the new tools are so much cheaper and easier to use.

BOOKS

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. After listening to Isaacson on Lex Fridman's podcast, I decided to read one of his books, and the Jobs biography was always on my list. I don't read as many biographies as I'd like, and I think it's time to change that. 

FUN

Top Boy. Season 3 (or 5 if you want to count the Summerhouse entries) is out; we finished it last week. It's a final season, and they concluded it in 6 episodes. Production-wise it was better than ever - the music, the sound, the acting and the camerawork were on point. Some scenes nearly gave me so much stress I had to brew chamomile tea.

However, the writing was a bit rushed and lazy at times. I get they had to finish it quickly, but I'd rather they did it over ten episodes to flesh out the storytelling.

We can't have it all, though, and I still recommend the season.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you (hopefully!) next week!

Mike

https://mikemigas.com/

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