Multitasking Is A Myth
You've been taught to believe multitasking is a good thing, but multitasking actually makes you LESS productive. Let's take a look at 5 of the biggest reasons why...
“Inevitably we find ourselves tackling too many things at the same time, spreading our focus so thin that nothing gets the attention it deserves. This is commonly referred to as ‘being busy.’ Being busy, however, is not the same thing as being productive.” — Ryder Carroll
Have you ever wondered why some people are better at multitasking?
This may come as a surprise to you, but no human being focuses on more than one task at a given moment. What many think is multitasking is actually a shift in focus from one task to another.
Shifting focus has many negative side effects. Let’s take a quick look at five of them.
1. Shifting focus disrupts flow. You never “get in the zone” where the best work is done. You remain in a constant state of distraction.
2. Shifting focus wears you out. Each shift between tasks requires energy to refocus the mind. Your ability to switch tasks and refocus degrades with every shift in focus.
3. Shifting focus produces lower quality work. Your best work is achieved in a flow state, and since flow is not possible, you subconsciously settle for good enough without even realizing it. Your brain wants to complete the task, even if that means cutting corners.
4. Shifting focus lengthens the time required to complete each task. With no flow state and the increasing drain on energy of each switch, you actually risk not completing some or all of your tasks.
5. Shifting focus disrupts the process of short-term memory. Distraction, fatigue and lack of sharp focus mean less retention. Your ability to remember details is impaired.
Stop trying to multitask. You are not designed to work that way! You may feel more productive, but your productivity actually decreases.
Focus on one task at a time. Keep more of your energy and motivation. Do your best work in less time. Remember more of what you learn in the process. Enjoy a happier, less stressful life.
If you feel pressured to multitask, forget about it. Multitasking is a myth. Seriously, stop thinking you can do what no human being is actually capable of.
When life gets busy, be on guard for stress-tasking. This is a frantic shift in focus between multiple tasks when you get overwhelmed.
The best antidote to stress-tasking is to...
Relax.
Take quick stock of your tasks.
Choose the highest priority task and get it done.
Move on to the next highest priority task and repeat.
You’ll get all of your tasks done in less time without all of the added stress.