I don’t understand multitasking. For me, doing two things at the same time (if one of them isn’t an automatic habit) leads to colossal failure. It is easy for me to see how my success is slipping away even before I get started.
We feel like we accomplish more when we do several tasks at once. Despite the fact that research shows it’s a terrible habit, something about holding a phone between our ear and shoulder while we type a report into Google docs makes us feel quite productive.
Studies have shown that we can’t really divide our attention in two. Multitasking makes us less productive, more stressed, and, in the end, performs worse than those who can devote themselves to one task without distraction.
Let’s explore why we should replace multitasking and what we can do about it
We are not robots
The term multitasking refers to doing two things at the same time.
It has been proven that it is possible to carry out such a sophisticated move. Except when one of the tasks is performed automatically without requiring our attention or concentration. Let’s take an example – walking and answering the phone. Is this what we usually consider as multitasking? Absolutely not.
So why can’t we do two things at once?
As part of our brains, there is a region called working memory, which stores and processes information temporarily, enabling us to perform cognitively complex tasks such as planning and making decisions. This is why, for example, we cannot calculate a simple math exercise while writing an email.
Does that make sense?
Let’s go even deeper – often what we call multitasking is actually “task switching”, which involves continuously hopping from one task to another or from one tab to another in the browser. We do it so fast that we think we are working on several things at the same time. In reality we are working very little on many, many things at the same time.
Few reasons to let go of multitasking
The concept of multitasking by and large is an illusion, at least in the way most of us perceive it. Let’s try to understand why we should let it go and move forward.
In order to be productive, you should not multitask
According to research on serial task switching, switching from task to task frantically can reduce our productivity by 40%.
Another famous study conducted at the University of California, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to the original task after being distracted.
Additionally, we make more mistakes when we work on several things simultaneously, and the more complex the task, the more mistakes we make.
Bottom line, we are more distracted when we deal with several tasks at once. We lose concentration much more easily before we complete the challenging tasks in front of us. At every task switch, we trigger the dopamine response that encourages us to switch tasks in search of immediate gratification.
This gives us the illusion of productivity even though we didn’t do anything meaningful.
The stress of multitasking wears us out
Our brains are not built to focus on more than one demanding task at a time. Forcing them to learn this skill takes a toll.
In a study conducted at the University of London, subjects who multitask while performing cognitive tasks had an IQ score comparable to someone who smoked marijuana or stayed up all night.
Additionally, multitasking increases the level of cortisol in the body, which causes physical stress. When we are constantly switching gears and jumping between tasks, pushing our cognition to its limit, exhaustion and burnout are inevitable results.
Multitasking suppresses creativity
It is difficult to think outside the box when we have high levels of anxiety and less brain space to store original and productive ideas.
Multitasking damages our memory
A 2011 study conducted at the University of California found that multitasking impairs short-term memory.
I’m convinced, now what?
Having realized that multitasking won’t get us very far, let’s talk about what we can do instead to be truly productive. This will help us maintain mental health and high cognitive function over time.
Monotasking
To practice efficient and healthy productivity, we need to devote ourselves to completing each task in its own time.
Monotasking is a less stressful strategy. There is less energy lost switching between different types of information. You are more likely to get into flow and do meaningful work.
This practice helps us keep our focus on what we need to do and not on the countless things we could do. We actively say “no” to everything that tries to steal our attention.
Monotasking allows us to be much more creative because the resources available to us are more limited. Therefore we have no choice but to go within ourselves and look for creative solutions.
Notice that you are multitasking
My blog often speaks about mindfulness. For those of us who are addicted to multitasking, it can be challenging to gain a better understanding of working on one task at a time. The first and most crucial step is recognizing when we are dividing our attention between multiple tasks.
If we pay attention when we are doing one thing and actually thinking about another, we will often discover patterns that can be recognized and changed.
Disable notifications
It makes no sense for us to try to change our habits and concentrate on one task while allowing greedy apps to dominate our attention with updates that are usually unrelated to the work we want to get done.
If I were to recommend one thing that is very helpful for those who tend to be distracted at work – notifications would be the first and easiest thing I would eliminate.
Communicate it to your environment
Changing working habits can be difficult especially if colleagues and customers are used to our hectic style. One way to support this kind of change is to clearly communicate to the world your new working methods. (Read more about distraction in this article)
According to my experience and other people I accompanied, we often think that in order to be reliable and efficient, we must be very available and connected. However, we can greatly improve our work quality and efficiency by halving our availability.
Let them know when it is possible to talk to you and why it is better for them not to interrupt your work.
Schedule it
Knowing that all the other tasks are waiting for their turn makes it easier to focus on one task at a time.
Focused work with high concentration requires practice and training. We are not used to this, even those of us who don’t multitask all the time.
You should start with short windows of time (15-20 minutes) in which distractions will not be tolerated. Over time, you will see that you can increase the amount of time you devote to each task.
Deep work is a practice that strongly supports this idea.
Design your workspace
I won’t go into the secrets of designing physical and digital workspaces here, but if you are a multitasking enthusiast, it’s usually really noticeable in your workspace. Mess, open screens, communication channels. In short, a lot of distractions.
Monotasking is also a philosophical shift that can be expressed in the work environment. A more minimalist atmosphere, the removal of all kinds of papers and files that create clutter. A clear and tidy desk. Those are all characteristics that encourage focused and quiet work.
So, what do you think?
Even if you didn’t read this article quietly and with high concentration, I hope you understood the main message hidden between the words. Multitasking is an illusion of productivity and a cognitive drain. Isn’t that a loss?
I hope I’ve sparked a little curiosity in you to explore the spaces of deep work and the search for the flow. Those makes working life more meaningful, healthier, and rewarding.
Cheers to that.
