What even is multi-tasking?
Multi-tasking is trying to do more than one task at once.
Firstly, multi-tasking is somewhat of an illusion - it's more a "juggling" of tasks. You are never actually holding all the balls at once, you're just constantly alternating which one is in your hand. With multi-tasking, your brain is never actually focused on two things at once, it's just switching its focus back and forth.
Secondly, we need to define what kind of multi-tasking we actually mean. The difference between watching TV while eating, and watching TV while studying, is that eating requires much less conscious thought (and therefore your brain's executive functions) than studying. In order to 'safely' multi-task, the tasks must be familiar but not complex enough to require conscious thought.
The productivity-killing multi-tasking we're taking about is answering e-mails during an important meeting, scrolling through Instagram intermittently while you write up a report, or flitting between two projects open up on two separate windows on your computer.
Why it's killing your productivity
Although the time it takes to switch between tasks is very small, the cumulative time that it takes to constantly switch back and forth includes a delay in the brain to 'change gears' can be detrimental. Research suggests that the hidden time costs of multi-tasking can actually eat up 40% of your productive time! This delay is attributed to what is called 'attention residue'. When we switch from one task to the next it takes time for our actual attention span to catch up, even if we think we are fully immersed in our next task.
Not only does multi-tasking ruin your efficiency, but it may also worsen mental health and clarity, short-term memory and creativity, and increase the risk of making mistakes. There's even research to suggest that people who regularly multi-task perform worse on cognitive tests than those who don't, and ironically those who multi-task frequently are worse at task-switching than those who don't multi-task, i.e. the more your multi-task the worse you may become at filtering out irrelevant information in your brain!
What's the alternative to multi-tasking?
Do one thing at a time
It really is as simple as that! If you're used to doing more than one thing at once then it may even feel less efficient, but after a while you should notice better mental clarity and increased work efficiency. By focusing on one task you're able to do 'deep work', and even facilitate flow - the state of optimum productivity and fulfillment from work.
Minimise distractions
Turning off social media notifications and preventing yourself from being interrupted by others can really help eliminate the temptation to multi-task. This will help train your brain to focus on one thing at a time.
Structure your time
Instead of jumping between two tasks for 2 hours, why not focus on task A for one hour, followed by task B for another hour?
If you find yourself constantly checking your phone while working, why not set aside 5-10 minutes for a 'phone break' so that you're not constantly disrupting your momentum?
Having a structure can be an extremely helpful tool to staying focused.
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