We live in a culture that loves efficiency. People are always looking for a new, improved and faster way to get more done in a shorter amount of time. Our solution to tackling multiple simultaneous tasks has invariably been multitasking – working on two or more tasks at once, switching back and forth from one thing to another, or performing several tasks in rapid succession. You’ve likely done it yourself – checking your emails while looking over some notes and chatting with a co-worker, all while eating lunch at your desk.
Multitasking was once the hot buzzword but it’s less ubiquitous. Despite what we’ve all been led to believe, multitasking is not the gold-standard of productivity and just because you’re a multitasking whizz, that doesn’t mean it’s effective or good for you! Numerous studies on multitasking make it abundantly clear multitasking is completely ineffective as well as detrimental to your overall health.
Bad for Productivity
Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that multitasking can actually decrease productivity rather than increase it. In some cases productivity was actually reduced by up to 40 percent! When people attempt to multitask, they often experience a cognitive overload that can decrease their ability to focus, make decisions, and complete tasks efficiently.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that people who multitasked took longer to complete tasks and made more errors compared to those who focused on one task. A 2009 Stanford University study found that people who were thought to be multitasking were actually worse at picking out relevant information from irrelevant details, as well as having a harder time remembering information than those who completed one task at a time.
Bad for Mental Health
Not only is multitasking bad for productivity, but it can also have negative impacts on your mental health. When you’re constantly switching between tasks, this can generate anxiety since the brain is attempting to control too many things at once, when it’s more natural to concentrate on one thing at a time.
Finding it difficult to fully engage with any one of these tasks can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction or lack of accomplishment. Multitasking can even negatively impact sleep quality, as the brain may continue to switch between tasks. Studies have shown that doing multiple tasks at once not only has the potential to escalate stress levels, but also increase depression and social anxiety – even leading to chronic stress, burn out and long-term memory problems!
While there may be situations where multitasking is necessary (such as in emergency medical situations) or some tasks can be performed simultaneously without significant negative effects (such as driving a car and listening to music), overall, it’s clear that multitasking can be detrimental to productivity, performance, and overall health and well-being, especially over extended periods of time.
Singletasking is the way to go!
Most people have multiple things that urgently need to be done on their to-do list. With so many things to do in so little time, is there an alternative to multitasking? In a word, singletasking: focused on one task or thing at a time in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. Studies from Stanford University and other institutions have shown that singletasking is generally better than multitasking in terms of productivity, accuracy, and overall performance. For more complex tasks that require extra concentration and attention to detail, singletasking is often the better approach.
When you multitask, you’re constantly shifting attention and directing energies in all directions, but when you singletask, you focus all your energy and attention on the one task at hand. By limiting excessive stimulation and not shifting attention, you also have fewer things to keep in mind in the short term. Studies show that singletaskers get less distracted, have better working memory and can perform better when switching between tasks than multitaskers. In addition the mind freed from distraction, can even be more creative. Singletasking is also better for your overall mood, and sanity.
Breaking the multitasking cycle isn’t easy. You may have to retrain your brain to concentrate on a single task at a time. With practice and persistence, however, it’s possible to develop a singletasking mindset, not only becoming more productive and focused, but taking care of your mental health as well.
Here are some tips to break the multi-tasking habit
Set a timer
Instead of constantly switching between tasks, embrace the Pomodoro Technique. This involves working for a set amount of time, usually 20 to 25 minutes, on a single task, then taking a short break for around five to 10 minutes. This method can help you stay focused and motivated, and prevent burnout!
Prioritise your tasks
Make a list of all the tasks you need to complete and prioritise them in order of importance and urgency. Focus on completing one task at a time and moving on to the next most important or urgent after finishing the previous task. Use a task manager or to-do list to keep track of your progress and stay organised.
Relax your brain
Taking breaks can help you recharge and refocus, giving your brain a welcome intermission. Set aside specific times for breaks to avoid interrupting your flow. Take a stroll for a few minutes to get some fresh air and take in a green space to give your brain a rest. If you can’t get out, at least get up and move around to get the blood flowing to your brain.
Practice mindfulness
Get into the habit of adding mindfulness activities to your daily routine. Mindfulness is being in the present moment, aware of your thoughts and body sensations without judgement. Let go of worrying about what happened last week, planning your grocery list or what must be done at work tomorrow. Simply allow yourself to ‘be.’
Mindfulness not only improves your ability to focus on one thing at a time, but gives your busy mind a rest as well, benefitting your overall physical and mental health. Try practicing mindfulness for a few minutes each day, and gradually increase the amount of time you spend on mindfulness exercises.
Batch your tasks
If you’re having trouble resisting the urge to check your emails and social media, or engage in yet another distracting task, schedule a set time in your day to tackle them. By batching similar tasks together and setting a schedule for them, you’ll be able to free your mind up to focus on something else outside of that dedicated time.
Limit distractions
Try and eliminate any distractions that could impact your focus on the task at hand. This may mean switching off any notifications and alarms, closing any unnecessary tabs on your computer, seeking out a quieter place to work or even informing your colleagues that you’re unavailable during certain times of the day. Doing so may help you eliminate distractions so you can better focus on the task at hand.
