Do Not Multitask. You Waste Your Time
Munger argues that sustained attention matters more than multitasking for deep thought. He describes keeping time free to read, think, and wait for opportunities.
THE IDEA
One of my favorite quotes of Charlie is from a Daily Journal meeting. He was asked: "How did you balance reading that much and having so many children?" He answered, "When I want to read something, I take everything else down. I don't know a wise person who doesn't read a lot."
"I think that people who multitask pay a huge price: they can't think of anything deeply, giving the world an advantage, which they shouldn't give. I wouldn't succeed doing it. I did not succeed in life by intelligence. I succeeded because I have a long attention span."
Charlie from a Daily Journal Meeting in 2016: "Warren and I and JP Guerin do two things. One, we spend a lot of time thinking. Our schedules are not crowded, and we look like academics more than businessmen. It is a soft life waiting for a few opportunities, and we seize them and are ok with waiting for a while and nothing happens. Warren is sitting on an empire, and all he has on his schedule is a haircut this week. He has plenty of time to think. Luckily, so many of you groupies are so obscure, you'll have plenty of time to think. Second, multitasking is not the highest quality thought man is capable of doing unless you're chief nurse of hospital. If not, be satisfied with life in shallows. I didn't have a number two plan; I wasn't going to dance lead in Bolshoi Ballet or stand on the mound in Yankee Stadium. The constant search for wisdom or opportunity is important. It applies to the personal life too."
When to use it
When reading a complex book or article, set aside dedicated time without notifications or other distractions.
During important meetings or strategic planning sessions, turn off all interruptions and focus solely on the discussion.
For learning new skills, immerse yourself in a single activity for extended periods rather than flitting between subjects.
In decision-making, avoid switching between problems; allocate blocks of time to analyze each issue thoroughly.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Charlie Munger's Reading Discipline
When Munger wants to read something, he takes everything else down, dedicating full attention to the material. This allowed him to read extensively despite having many children.
Warren Buffett's Minimal Schedule
At a meeting, Munger described a week when Buffett’s only scheduled appointment was a haircut. He used the anecdote to illustrate how an uncrowded calendar leaves time to think.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How does multitasking affect the quality of your decisions and your ability to think deeply?
What would happen if you scheduled your day with only one or two main tasks, leaving ample time for uninterrupted thought?
Identify one area of your life where you could reduce multitasking to improve depth and effectiveness.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Art of Being Rational Charlie Munger