What’s the real deal with multitasking?

 

What’s the real deal with multitasking?

2 November 2024|Best Practice, Business Operations, Execution, Flow State, Productivity, Question a Day, Weakness

Question-a-Day

 

The Real Deal with Multitasking: Why Doing It All May Be Doing Less

Multitasking is a term that’s thrown around a lot, often hailed as a skill necessary for productivity in today’s fast-paced world. But is it really as effective as we think? Let’s dig into what multitasking is, how it affects our brains and productivity, and some strategies that might actually help you get more done.

What Is Multitasking, Really?

At its core, multitasking is the act of trying to perform more than one task simultaneously. This might look like answering emails while on a conference call, or switching rapidly between writing a report and scrolling through social media. In theory, multitasking sounds like a productivity hack — after all, who wouldn’t want to do more in less time?

Key Point: Multitasking is less about doing multiple things at once and more about task-switching. The brain can’t truly focus on more than one complex task at the same time.

The Science Behind Multitasking: How Your Brain Works

Our brains are not actually designed to perform multiple tasks that require cognitive focus at once. When we “multitask,” we’re typically just switching back and forth between tasks rapidly, which is known as task-switching. Each time we switch tasks, our brains take a moment to reorient to the new activity, which uses up mental resources and adds friction to the process.

Cognitive Load and Decision Fatigue

When you multitask, you increase your cognitive load, which is the mental effort required to process information. This can lead to decision fatigue, making it harder to make decisions as the day progresses. In essence, the more tasks you juggle, the less effective you become at each one.

Research Insight: Studies from Stanford University show that heavy multitaskers are actually worse at sorting irrelevant information and are slower at switching tasks, indicating a decrease in cognitive control.

The “Switch Cost” Effect

The time and energy it takes for your brain to switch from one task to another is called switch cost. Research suggests that every time you switch tasks, you lose a small amount of productivity — it’s estimated to be around 20-40% of your productive time. This loss adds up throughout the day, meaning that multitasking might actually make you less efficient.

How Multitasking Impacts Productivity

1. Lowered Quality of Work: When you’re constantly switching tasks, you’re less likely to perform at your best on each individual task. This often leads to mistakes, lower-quality output, and more time spent revisiting and correcting errors.
2. Increased Stress Levels: Multitasking can make you feel overwhelmed, as you’re constantly in a state of “catch-up” trying to manage multiple streams of information. This increases your stress levels, which can lead to burnout over time.
3. Memory Impairment: Constantly switching between tasks can impair your working memory, which is critical for holding information temporarily. This is one of the reasons why people feel mentally drained after a day of heavy multitasking.

Example: Think about the last time you checked your phone during a meeting. When you looked back up, you probably missed part of the conversation and had to piece together what was said, slowing down your understanding of the discussion.

Myths About Multitasking: What We Often Get Wrong

Myth #1: “I’m great at multitasking.”

Truth: Only about 2.5% of people are considered "supertaskers," capable of handling multiple tasks efficiently without performance loss. Most of us perform worse while multitasking, even if we don’t realize it.

Myth #2: “Multitasking saves time.”

Truth: Because of the switch cost effect, multitasking often takes more time in the long run. You’re likely to spend extra minutes (or even hours) revisiting tasks and correcting mistakes.

Myth #3: “You can train your brain to multitask better.”

Truth: While you can practice handling distractions better, cognitive science suggests that the human brain has limited processing capacity. We can improve our focus and efficiency, but we can’t change the fundamental way our brains are wired.

Alternatives to Multitasking: What Actually Works

1. Single-Tasking: Focus on one task at a time to ensure higher quality and faster completion. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a list of tasks to do — just tackle them one by one.

2. Time Blocking: Allocate specific time slots for each activity. For example, set aside 30 minutes for emails and then move on to a focused work session without interruptions.

3. Pomodoro Technique: Work in short, focused intervals (typically 25 minutes), followed by a 5-minute break. This technique reduces the urge to switch tasks and keeps your mind fresh.

4. Batch Processing: Group similar tasks together. For example, respond to all emails in one session rather than checking them sporadically throughout the day. This minimizes the switch cost between different types of tasks.

5. Use Technology Mindfully: Tools like Focus@Will for concentration music or Forest to limit phone usage can help you stay focused. Notifications from social media and other apps are often the biggest culprits of distraction.

Final Thoughts: The Real Deal on Multitasking

While multitasking may seem like a path to high productivity, it usually leads to diminished focus, increased stress, and lower-quality results. Understanding that the brain isn’t naturally inclined to handle multiple tasks at once can help us adopt better productivity strategies. Rather than attempting to do everything simultaneously, focusing on one task at a time may ultimately help you get more done and improve the quality of your work.

Want to master the art of asking better questions and focus on what truly matters? Sign up for QuestionClass to learn techniques that improve critical thinking, eliminate distractions, and help you make more impactful decisions — no multitasking required! Start unlocking your potential today.