Limit Multi-tasking To Avoid Risks

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Are you a multi-tasker? Odds are quite good that if you are under 30 you are quite good at this. You have grown up in a world with computers, smartphones and short attention spans.

In some ways this is a gift - you can get a lot done and odds are good you can have quality with production. But, research has shown that for all of us there is a breaking point. When we hit that point is when mistakes happen and whether it is an email to a wrong person, a reply all when a private message is your goal or if it is a cause of bodily harm because of distraction, the price can be high.

My advice - try and do one thing at a time and maintain a list of other tasks. You can still work fast but this approach will keep you grounded and prevent many problems.