The Fault of Multitasking

Multitasking. It seems like the perfect solution for a busy schedule. Being able to do multiple tasks at once seems convenient and effective, but I am here to break the news that multitasking is detrimental to productivity levels. Let’s dig deeper into what multitasking is. Essentially, it is switching back and forth between tasks or completing tasks concurrently. It can also look like leaving one task to finish another and leaving that task for a different one and the cycle continues. Multitasking can be as simple as driving to work and talking on the phone or trying to watch Netflix while working on a project. It can even be as extreme as trying to make breakfast, logging into a business meeting on Microsoft Teams, sipping your coffee, doing the dishes, entertaining your dog, listening to music in the background, ironing your shirt in the other room, running through your entire day through your head and… the list could go on and on. 

Sounds stressful looking at it from the outside, huh? Let’s examine the research together on this topic if you still are not convinced. PubMed and researchers Madore and Wagner explain a switch cost. They discuss, “[a switch cost] is a reduction in performance accuracy or speed that results from shifting between tasks. A rich body of research in psychological science has documented that the behavioral costs of task switching are typically unavoidable: individuals almost always take longer to complete a task and do so with more errors when switching between tasks than when they stay with one task.” (Click Here) Let’s look at even more data.

Other studies, such as one published by the Cleveland Clinic in 2021, suggest multitasking typically leads to more error and being less efficient. This might not be detrimental to watching a show while you fold laundry, but it could cause harm to productivity levels and the best outcome when it comes to larger tasks/projects. The Cleveland Clinic also looked at a study on college students, which revealed that those who multitasked had an increase in distractions, the inability to reach deeper processing, and overall being less focused. Students need an environment to learn in that is distraction-free and gives them the ability to focus. The first step, remove multitasking or at least, start to lessen it. (Click Here)

In my own experience, I have learned that a way to be mindful and in the present moment, is sticking to one task. The more I am flipping between different items, the more frazzled I feel and have recognized over time it is causing me to spend more minutes/hours/days on something that could be done in half the time. And let’s be honest here, that feeling of multitasking is stressful  and scientifically, it has shown to release more of the stress hormone cortisol which impacts your entire nervous system. In fact, studies show that only around 2.5% of the population has the ability to multitask successfully. 

So, how can we work toward building productivity? 

-Focus on one task at a time. Think of your brain like a muscle: too much pressure and heavy weights can tear, strain or damage the muscle fibers. So, treat your tasks with consistency and attainability instead of spending even more time trying to get everything done all at the same time.

-Find the hours of the day that you work best in. Is it morning? Afternoon? Night? In the wee hours of 2AM? Whatever it may be, find that time frame and do those non-negotiable tasks. Productivity will increase greatly.

-Practice not switching between tasks by doing mindfulness activities such as meditation (there is a multitude for free on YouTube or Spotify) or yoga (check out Yoga with Kassandra). Working the body to be present and focused will help your mental health, and physical health, and bring strength to your work performance.

-It may be helpful to remove everything from your workspace except the thing you're working on. OR even creating time gaps in your calendar where notifications are silenced so you are not tempted to switch to something else.

-Make room in your calendar for those distractions. It might sound silly, but you can use that time to open texts and emails all in one interval instead of sporadically throughout the day.

-Reach out to someone who has mastered their productivity and ask them for tips. 

With time and practice, you will see the benefits of focusing on one thing at a time. Try challenging yourself by setting a timer for that task and work on just that single task until the timer goes off, take a short break, and repeat. 

Need a mentor or someone to coach you through this process? Reach out today or join the Power of Purpose Conference which can help you master this skill and many others that will improve your successes and hone in on your strengths.

See you in May!