Multitasking is a Myth! (And here's what to do instead)
I’m sure you’ve heard of “multi-tasking”; it’s a word that’s mentioned all the time as a way to get more done.
BUT, multitasking is a total myth.
When we “multitask” all we are really doing is switching very quickly between different tasks. Excessive context switching. Our brains are not actually able to do multiple things at once in this way. And multitasking is detrimental to both our actual productivity and to our mental health.
Attempting to multitask depletes our ability to focus, it depletes our willpower, and it is MUCH less effective than focusing on one thing at a time.
Now, I hear you saying “well, I multitask and it works for me”. But I’m here to tell you it doesn’t. What you’re feeling when you attempt to multitask is “busy”, but “busy” is very different from productive.
If you’ve ever been on a conference call while trying to write an unrelated email and ended up typing verbatim what the person on the call is saying, then you know what I mean.
Multitasking doesn’t work. And it feels so very stressful.
So what do you do instead of multitask?
You single-task!
You focus on one thing at a time, and you knock that thing off your list, and then you move onto the next thing.
When you single-task, you’ll actually accomplish your tasks much faster, and with greater accuracy. And, the whole process feels controlled instead of scattered and stressful.
Tips to get started with single-tasking
Work from a task list (if it helps, number the items in the order you’ll do them so you’re less likely to jump around).
Having a single trusted system for your tasks/projects, that you’ve properly prioritized, allows you to single-task much more easily. (And if your task management isn’t quite up to snuff just yet, let’s chat.)
Turn off desktop and phone notifications (so that your focus isn’t pulled away from what you are working on)
Minimize your browser window (you know, the one with the 50 open tabs) and open a single window with only one tab for whatever you are working on at the moment.
Try the Pomodoro Technique