Multitasking is a myth. We like to brag that we are good at it. But we’re not. Humans do not have the mental capability to focus on more than one thing.
Why do we believe we are multitaskers?
If we do a series of things frequently, we get faster at running these sequences efficiently and in sync. This gives us the warm, fuzzy, smug deceit of being multitaskers. We are not multitaskers – we have just become efficient and highly practised at running routine sequenced tasks. Two examples of apparent multitasking are experienced bar staff making complicated cocktails or highly trained chefs operating in a busy kitchen.
What is task switching?
Instead of multitasking, we task switch. Task switching “… involves very rapidly switching from one task to another, pausing and returning to the previous task. We quickly shift our focus and attention from one task to another.”
When we switch between tasks, it is highly challenging to ‘switch’ back to the task beforehand and regain any progress or effort made. We have to restart and regain our position and our momentum. “Research evidence suggests that multitasking is an inefficient strategy because it causes individuals to make errors, increases stress, reduces cognitive abilities, and hinders productivity.”
The problem with multitasking
Multitasking is like trying to juggle too many balls at once. You might appear to keep them all in the air for a bit, but eventually, one is bound to drop. Our brains aren’t wired for true multitasking; instead, they switch rapidly between tasks, incurring a cognitive toll known as switching costs.
This leads to decreased efficiency, increased errors, and a hefty mental workload. Importantly, it leads to things that have been done staying undone. This could be mitigated by using checklists, but… why not just focus on one thing and get it done?
Multitasking is like trying to run multiple software programs on an older computer. It might appear to work, but not everything is done (your last update wasn’t saved), the performance takes a hit, and things start slowing down.
Multitasking is a failure
This is not an article preaching personal thoughts and ideas; multitasking has been recognised as a failure for cognitive function, even in health and academia. Read here how the American National Institute of Health recognises humanity’s cognitive function as a singular, focused mind, not one that can or should focus on multiple problems simultaneously.
Ultimately, multitasking often feels like you’re doing a lot, but the quality of your work and mental well-being might pay the price. It’s not about being superhuman; it’s about understanding that our brains are more like speedy task-switchers than true multitaskers.
Why is understanding the problem with multitasking important for your career?
You can choose to feel busy or produce output. Feel productive or be productive – you choose: you only get rewarded for one. This is important because your output and your value to your employer are directly connected.
For more productivity hacks:
Productivity Hack #1 to Getting Stuff Done – Compartmentalise Your Day – This mental hack is to divide your day into quarters. In your head. Just like a ship. Then, if something goes south, it’s not the whole day lost or damaged – it’s just that quarter. The other quarters can be good quarters.
Productivity Hack #2 to Getting Stuff Done – The Pomodoro Technique – We’ve all seen the memes on social media about how we all have the same number of seconds, minutes and hours daily. We know that. Stop preaching. But how do you become more productive? How to focus. How to ignore the distraction of the seductive phone screen?
Productivity Hack #3 The Time-Blocking System – The Time-Blocking System is a system of productivity that divides your day into time blocks dedicated to specific themes of work or tasks to accomplish. Many people use the system to divide their day into several blocks, each allocating a work task.
