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Why You Should Stop Multitasking Right Now
When we have more time, we take better care of ourselves. We exercise more, we cook our own food, and we connect with the people we love. So, how do we create more time? We multitask!
But what if multitasking—the thing we all do in an attempt to fit more into our busy schedules—was actually creating less time for you to engage in the most important areas of your life?
In fact, it’s true. Multitasking is a lie—and it’s probably the reason you feel so busy but not necessarily productive.
The latest productivity research shows that it takes up to 30% longer to accomplish tasks when we’re trying to do more than one thing at a time. What’s worse, the quality of the relationships on whose behalf we are multitasking gets diminished in the process.
“Ironically, all the technology at our fingertips that allows us to do so many things and communicate so quickly is actually robbing us of time and connection,” says barre3 founder and recovering multitasker Sadie Lincoln.
For Sadie, a turning point came when she learned that multitasking was hurting her relationship with her son.
“I was trying to be super mom and deal with my emails and social media while we were spending time together,” says Sadie. “But it was a lose-lose situation. I was losing moments of magic with my son and being less effective at the tasks I was fitting in.”
What Is Multitasking, Anyway?
When we think about multitasking, we assume it means doing multiple things simultaneously. This seems like a logical way to save time. However, the human brain is incapable of doing more than one thing at once. When you multitask, what you’re really doing is switching back and forth between tasks.
“Switching back and forth breaks your concentration,” says Kelley Forseth, a time management coach whose firm, Clarity Consulting, helps businesses and individuals achieve greater productivity. “Returning to the task that you were doing previously takes time—there’s a switching cost involved.”
In addition to lost time, MRI studies show that switching between tasks diminishes your ability to focus. And over time, it can actually lower your IQ. Convinced yet that it’s time to stop multitasking?
Tips for Weaning Yourself Off Multitasking
Here are six ways you can start busting the myth of multitasking in your own life:
1. Accept that multitasking is a lie.
It can be hard to believe that multitasking is actually counterproductive, but the science is clear. The first step toward true productivity is accepting that multitasking does not lead to getting more done.
2. Turn off your notifications.
Text alerts, social media notifications, email indicators—these are all distractions to which we become addicted.
“Our brains get flooded with dopamine when we hear these little queues,” says Kelley. “That dopamine makes us feel good, and then we want more of it.”
Kelley recommends turning off all notifications on your phone unless they’re absolutely critical. Want to go bolder? Try leaving your phone at home sometimes.
3. Batch tasks and have a system.
Turning off notifications doesn’t make the tasks disappear, so you’ll need a system for dealing with everything on your plate. You can batch tasks and assign them times. For example, Sadie consolidates all her administrative work to two-hour slots on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
“This has been a game changer because I’m no longer giving pieces of my attention to these things all day, every day,” says Sadie.
Instead of checking your email constantly throughout the day, try scheduling three checks—one in the morning, one at lunch, and one at the end of the day. Have a system in place where people know to call you if there’s an emergency.
4. Set appointments for “you” time.
While you’re in your calendar setting up email checks, also make some appointments for things you enjoy. Schedule time to read a book, exercise, take your kids to the park, or even to do nothing.
Our impulse to multitask gets heightened when we’re overwhelmed, so it’s important to prioritize downtime and the activities that decrease your stress level.
5. Find an accountability partner.
One of the quickest ways to fail at changing behavior is by doing it in isolation. Find a friend, coworker, or family member who can hold you accountable by asking if you’ve followed through on your goals.
“Behavior change is much more likely when we have a support system,” says Kelley. “Plus, it’s more fun because you’re creating a connection around something healthy.”
6. Learn more about the topic.
If you’re as fascinated as we are by the science around productivity and want to learn more, there are some great books out there. Two of our favorites are The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done by Dave Crenshaw and Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence by Daniel Goleman.
What tools or systems help you create more time and be more productive? Share them in the comments below!
When we have more time, we take better care of ourselves. We exercise more, we cook our own food, and we connect with the people we love. So, how do we create more time? We multitask!
But what if multitasking—the thing we all do in an attempt to fit more into our busy schedules—was actually creating less time for you to engage in the most important areas of your life?
In fact, it’s true. Multitasking is a lie—and it’s probably the reason you feel so busy but not necessarily productive.
The latest productivity research shows that it takes up to 30% longer to accomplish tasks when we’re trying to do more than one thing at a time. What’s worse, the quality of the relationships on whose behalf we are multitasking gets diminished in the process.
“Ironically, all the technology at our fingertips that allows us to do so many things and communicate so quickly is actually robbing us of time and connection,” says barre3 founder and recovering multitasker Sadie Lincoln.
For Sadie, a turning point came when she learned that multitasking was hurting her relationship with her son.
“I was trying to be super mom and deal with my emails and social media while we were spending time together,” says Sadie. “But it was a lose-lose situation. I was losing moments of magic with my son and being less effective at the tasks I was fitting in.”
What Is Multitasking, Anyway?
When we think about multitasking, we assume it means doing multiple things simultaneously. This seems like a logical way to save time. However, the human brain is incapable of doing more than one thing at once. When you multitask, what you’re really doing is switching back and forth between tasks.
“Switching back and forth breaks your concentration,” says Kelley Forseth, a time management coach whose firm, Clarity Consulting, helps businesses and individuals achieve greater productivity. “Returning to the task that you were doing previously takes time—there’s a switching cost involved.”
In addition to lost time, MRI studies show that switching between tasks diminishes your ability to focus. And over time, it can actually lower your IQ. Convinced yet that it’s time to stop multitasking?
Tips for Weaning Yourself Off Multitasking
Here are six ways you can start busting the myth of multitasking in your own life:
1. Accept that multitasking is a lie.
It can be hard to believe that multitasking is actually counterproductive, but the science is clear. The first step toward true productivity is accepting that multitasking does not lead to getting more done.
2. Turn off your notifications.
Text alerts, social media notifications, email indicators—these are all distractions to which we become addicted.
“Our brains get flooded with dopamine when we hear these little queues,” says Kelley. “That dopamine makes us feel good, and then we want more of it.”
Kelley recommends turning off all notifications on your phone unless they’re absolutely critical. Want to go bolder? Try leaving your phone at home sometimes.
3. Batch tasks and have a system.
Turning off notifications doesn’t make the tasks disappear, so you’ll need a system for dealing with everything on your plate. You can batch tasks and assign them times. For example, Sadie consolidates all her administrative work to two-hour slots on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
“This has been a game changer because I’m no longer giving pieces of my attention to these things all day, every day,” says Sadie.
Instead of checking your email constantly throughout the day, try scheduling three checks—one in the morning, one at lunch, and one at the end of the day. Have a system in place where people know to call you if there’s an emergency.
4. Set appointments for “you” time.
While you’re in your calendar setting up email checks, also make some appointments for things you enjoy. Schedule time to read a book, exercise, take your kids to the park, or even to do nothing.
Our impulse to multitask gets heightened when we’re overwhelmed, so it’s important to prioritize downtime and the activities that decrease your stress level.
5. Find an accountability partner.
One of the quickest ways to fail at changing behavior is by doing it in isolation. Find a friend, coworker, or family member who can hold you accountable by asking if you’ve followed through on your goals.
“Behavior change is much more likely when we have a support system,” says Kelley. “Plus, it’s more fun because you’re creating a connection around something healthy.”
6. Learn more about the topic.
If you’re as fascinated as we are by the science around productivity and want to learn more, there are some great books out there. Two of our favorites are The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done by Dave Crenshaw and Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence by Daniel Goleman.
What tools or systems help you create more time and be more productive? Share them in the comments below!
