Here’s why you should stop multitasking
Let’s face it, we are all continuously bombarded with new things to do. Surrounded by infinite distractions. And overwhelmed by never-ending emails. And in a desperate attempt to get everything done… We usually turn to multitasking to tackle multiple responsibilities at once, only to reach the end of the day and realize you got nothing done… sad, right?
Well, here’s the thing. Our brains are simply not designed to handle all that information at once. When you’re multitasking, you are asking your brain to rapidly switch between tasks. Which is simply straining your brain power and increasing the chances of making mistakes.
So, with that being said, let’s get into a few reasons why you should stop multitasking:
It Causes Unnecessary Stress
Again, your brain is not meant to juggle infinite amounts of information at the same time. And when we attempt to do so, we are adding unnecessary levels of stress to our body and brain. In short, multitasking is asking your brain to quickly switch gears and focus, putting a strain on it and increasing the chances of performing poorly.
And we have all been there: At the end of the day. Feeling like we have worked SO much, yet accomplished so little. Causing extra stress and frustration. Making us feel like we need to catch up and work overtime to attempt (once again) to get everything done.
So, trust us when we say that single tasking is the way to go. Focusing on one task at a time will give you some extra structure and will help you keep on top of things. A good way to switch from multitasking to single tasking is by Time Blocking your schedule to keep track of your progress.
It Is Actually Slowing You Down
Now, you might think that you actually do a great job at multitasking… But, the reality is that less than 3% of people are able to multitask. What most people do when “multitasking” is simply bouncing back and forth between tasks. And like it or not, this process takes extra time. Your brain is practically wasting time trying to refocus every time you switch gears.
We know that doing one thing at a time might sound counterproductive if you are trying to save time, BUT…
If you focus on one task at a time, your brain will get in the groove and truly focus on getting this one task done as efficiently as possible. You won’t have to waste time resetting your brain every time you get distracted. And your brain will dedicate its undivided attention to the task at hand.
It Generates More Mistakes
This has to be one of the biggest reasons why you should stop multitasking:
Multitasking makes it hard to focus. And it makes it easy to miss out on important mistakes and details that will slow you down and affect your performance.
Single tasking will reduce your chances of making careless errors and prevent you from overlooking mistakes. And yes, you might be able to do laundry while listening to music without making too many mistakes. But as we start to combine complex tasks and responsibilities at work, the chances of messing up increase significantly.
So long story short, if your objective is to be more time efficient and productive, going back to work on avoidable mistakes is probably not what you want to be doing. So prioritize your tasks, and start working on them ONE at a time.
Not sure where to start or what to work on first?
Need help building productive habits that stick and actually work?
Want someone to help you stay accountable?
Hit the button below and let’s get you in touch with one of our coaches!