The myth of multitasking: How to boost your efficiency in a noisy world
The art of staying productive and getting things done
Introduction
Nowadays, people seem to be able to do multiple things simultaneously, such as drive a car while listening to music or talking with other car passengers. But is this actually what multitasking refers to? When some tasks repeat over and over, we tend to automate them so we are able to achieve them without requiring cognitive processing from our side. Examples can be things we perform on a daily basis, such as making our morning coffee, driving to work, opening a bottle of water, and on and on.
What is multi-tasking?
Multitasking refers to a person’s ability to perform or manage more than one conscious task that requires information processing at the same time without losing speed or accuracy of execution. That is what computers can do, but human’s can't, despite the fact that many of us still believe that. If I can complete many different tasks in an hour, isn’t this a form of multitasking? The answer is no, what people can effectively do is task-switching.
What is task-switching?
Task switching, otherwise known as context switching, refers to the rapid task switch where people usually pause their current task to jump to another one. This change can make people feel like they are multitasking when they simply change tasks.
Is task-switching as efficient as it seems to be?
We are neurologically inclined to perform better when we focus on a single task at a time rather than switching from one to another. Multiple recent studies have suggested that multi-tasking (task-switching) can reduce your task efficiency by up to 40%. Despite that, multiple tasks can make you experience higher levels of stress, frustration, and a greater pressure since you switch from one task to another and can’t finish what you started.
What can you do instead?
Every task management software out there relies on single task structure and execution. So why do we keep trying to execute multiple tasks together? Why do task management apps break things down into single tasks? Research-based evidence claims that the human brain struggles to hold multiple things in working memory (brain capacity 7 +-2), so focusing on one task can help us better process what we face and how we will solve it.
Single-task benefits
- Improves focus and memory: One thing at a time improves focus, and you should keep only important things in your working memory.
- Reduces stress: Multiple tasks can make you less effective, while the inability to complete tasks increases your levels of stress and frustration.
- Boost creativity: Working on the same task for a long period of time can sound boring, but it allows you to think about more and more solutions.
- Get things done: Performing one a single task at a time can improve your efficiency and task completion, instead of jumping around on multiple unfinished tasks.
How to switch from “multitasking” to Single Task mindset?
Switching from multitasking to single-tasking can be a significant productivity shift, and it often requires a change in mindset and habits. Here are some tips to help you make this transition successfully:
- Recognize the negative effects of multitasking
- Set clear goals of what needs to be accomplished each day
- Create a To-Do list (use any To-Do software you like)
- Prioritize your daily tasks (friendly advice: do the hard things first) before you end up with decision fatigue
- Remove distractions: turn-off unnecessary tabs, emails, and keep your phone away.
- Block time to focus on each task
Conclusion
This article explored the fundamental principles of why multitasking has negative effects on our efficiency. By acknowledging the need for change and adopting the practical techniques described above, individuals can achieve greater efficiency and higher rates of task completion per day. In a landscape where multitasking has long held sway, embracing the art of single-tasking may very well prove to be the secret to unlocking newfound productivity and personal growth.
