Jonathan hit the nail on the head. As a working mom (read: female who thought she could multitask), I have to tell you that this middel ground of which Jonathan waxes poetic is attainable! Yes, women can learn to relax, although it takes some time. Men can learn to be speedily effective, too. Don't put yourselves to shame so quickly, men!

I have found in my humble experience that focusing on one task, the "most important task at any given moment," and focusing on completion with care has lead me to that middle ground. Because, after all, if the baby is crying for a bottle, all it does is prolong the crying if you're trying to shove one more dish in the dishwasher before running back upstairs with the bottle. Just feed the baby, and the dishes will get done, too. Or, in terms men can understand more readily, finish the spec doc, then return all those pesky emails at once. And you have something accomplished.

Oh, and just pour another cup of coffee so you're not wasting that brainpower thinking about it.

In other words, Nike had the solution: "Just do it." Then, it'll be over, and no more need to multitask!