"I'm not playing semantics, but if you jump from a meeting to writing a report, to firing off a dozen emails, to answering interruptions at your desk, to another meeting, to returning phone calls, to another meeting, you're not multitasking. You're actually only doing one task at a time. You're freakin' busy, that's all."

Absolutely correct. Multitasking has a very specific meaning: switching from one task to another and then back or on to a different task altogether. A good example is when you're writing a report and the phone rings. Someone starts talking a mile a minute about some completely unrelated matter. You can almost feel your brain trying to stop working on the report and switch to the phone call.

Research on this subject shows that the more unfamiliar the different tasks and the more complex, the longer it takes to make the switch. Each switch does not take so long, but multiplied over a day the time adds up.

I completely agree that the term "multitasking" has been used rather loosely to mean having a number of projects going in the same general time-frame. As happens in just about every job there is.

Ranting is not always a bad thing.

I know where you're coming from.
Having been the computer consultant for some of the top companies in the industry in the Germany for now over 20 years, I'm pretty sure, I've tasted a touch and more of corporate reality. It once brought me to a point of working 115 hours (no not per month, per week, sleeping and showering in the office). Thank God those days are gone due to some harsh restructuring on my side and some tough decisions I made.

So I know that there is a land called "Reality" and a land called "Ideal State".

In "Ideal State" I would only do the things I enjoy and work only one task at a time – ah not working, having fun, one task at a time.

In "Reality" I have commitments, coworkers, clients, problems, needs, and lots of other distractions from "Ideal State".

But that time of absolutely over-working has thought me, that although I might never reach "Ideal State", knowing where it lies makes sure, that I know the direction I want to go.

And yes, I have to compromise a lot, while sometimes a strict No from myself, can overcome even the toughest client. Actually I kicked out my now best client once – showing him the line that he passed. And since I was the only one, who had the balls to do that, he is now a loyal customer, who yells at every one else, but never me – he knew, that we are at par.

So – I think that rant of yours was great, to make sure, that people not forget about something called "Reality" – and dealing with it you need to adopt nearly all of the rules that people put up, who are in a very different situation.

So, that is why I say, there are no rules in personal development, only things you try that might work for you or not. Strive for the ideal state, but don't bother with systems who were developed on a construction table and not been field tested under your circumstances.
I once used GTD, but I turned it into my own system and now, hard-core GTD people wouldn't recognize it – so what!

Learn, adopt and then make it your own. Unwrap your mind from the teachings – even from great guys, like me – and take what you can use and forget the rest.

As long as such great articles come out of a rand from you, keep it boiling

There are times for both, depending on what you do for a living or the project at hand, one may require insane multitasking and one may require reflective focus.

In all I have done, it is impossible to even predict what a day will be like in the corporate world (and again that depends on "what kind" of corporate world and what position you hold.) I never were one of those lucky people who sat at a desk all day eating and gossiping (nor would I want to be.)

In my experience in high energy, high money, high stakes corporate environment, multi tasking is a must. Unless it were a very serious project and you were allotted the time set aside to work on that, otherwise, it is go go go . . . especially with the technology and economy as it is presently.

Multi tasking is actually a gift, not everyone can do that. I use it in my private life, as well. Focus is a must. I have never single tasked anything no matter where I were employed. My positions never allowed that freedom yet I am grateful for that experience. It applies to my every day life.

I do not mind multi tasking. As long as it isn't stressful, overloaded, unfocused, making you ill multi tasking, I look upon that as an essential and qualified tool to succeed in the world no matter what your vision is.

I wouldn't say that single tasking should be about brushing off your co-workers or in telling your boss no (though there are a few rare cases where that is the right thing to do) Rather its more like saying okay, can I get started on that once I finish this? Or you set aside what you are doing to work on your bosses assignment. That's it. You shouldn't blow anyone off. People all need respect, and your boss is the one who hired you, they dictate the priorities that they hired you to take care of.

I'm glad you got angry because it caused you to write something interesting. I do however know for a fact that some of the advocates of single-tasking have quite a bit of corporate experience. That said this is overall still a good article.