Let’s face it – in this high-paced, “Go! Go! Go!” society, multitasking is an undeniable aspect of our daily lives. Whether we’re at home, at work, or even on vacation – it’s difficult to avoid juggling and tackling multiple duties simultaneously. Eating lunch while checking e-mails … keeping multiple tabs open on your internet browser … even cooking a healthy meal while watching the kids or chatting on the phone with a friend – we do it all (at the same time) in the name of improved efficiency and peak productivity. Right?
BUT – is multitasking really the best way to tackle your to-dos? Can the act of completing your lengthy list all at once save you time, money, and stress in the long run?
The answer is an unfortunate NO. Here’s why.
The dangers of multitasking:
We are all very aware of the actual physical dangers of certain attempts at multitasking such as texting-while-driving. But, did you know that the boastful brag found on countless résumés may actually prove detrimental to on-the-job performance?Multitasking is a myth. Just like Bigfoot, the concept of multitasking is flawed and simply not real. What we widely categorize as “multitasking” is really just high-speed task-switching. Instead of simultaneously processing two distinct activities (think rubbing your head while patting your belly); your brain is quickly switching from task to task in the blink of an eye. That’s because …
Multitasking kills productivity. Ever wonder why it feels like you constantly need a second or two to think when you’re tackling four things at once? It’s because your brain is running at peak-processing power to redirect your attention between each of your individual tasks. As a result, you’ll actually take longer to complete all of those tasks than if you had been giving each one your undivided attention.
Multitasking makes you distracted. Have you ever watched a movie while simultaneously browsing your phone, and afterward had no recollection of what you just watched? Focusing on two or more jobs simultaneously means you can never give enough attention to any of them. Fortunately, the solution to this problem is effortless – just take a deep breath, slow down, and drop everything. Well, almost everything.
So how do you avoid “multi-tasking”? Make a list of tasks to complete, and put all of your effort into tackling one task at a time. Give each project your undivided attention … once you’ve completed it, move onto the next.
If you have to receive an important email but also have a report due, don’t attempt to tackle them simultaneously. Take a deep breath, decide which should be done first, and complete them one-by-one. And quit texting your friends while you’re having dinner with your family. Drop the phone and give your full, undivided attention to your loved ones.
Being fully present, mentally and/or physically, for each task will improve your focus and concentration – resulting in a higher-quality product in the end. Plus, you might be pleasantly surprised to find yourself completing tasks quicker and more efficiently than before.
