Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking
Jumping off my mention of the book Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention — and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari in my recent newsletter, I wanted to dig a little deeper into the idea of multi-tasking and how it has been revealed that it is in fact not as productive as we may think. For decades we have proudly mentioned our ability to multi-task at job interviews, held our babies on our hips as we scheduled doctors appointments all while stirring something on the stove. Watching TV while scrolling Instagram while talking with our spouse about something “important” (guilty). Even typing this out it seems ridiculous that I’d think it was actually an effective strategy at tackling my to-do list.
It turns out that this whole time we’ve been multi-tasking through our lives, we’ve instead been diminishing our productivity and effectiveness in these very tasks. While we’ve thought our brains were able to be in two (or more!) places at once, we are actually very quickly switching our focus between tasks - not realizing what is lost as our brain refocuses each time it switches back. This takes place in less than a second over and over again - exhausting us mentally and physically.
Benefits of single-tasking can include:
Increased Focus - Obviously. Not always an easy thing to do, the main idea around single-tasking is focusing on one thing at a time.
Less Stress - Juggling multiple tasks at once can be really stressful. Narrowing your focus to one task aims to reduce or eliminate the stress that the juggling brings.
Reduced Errors - Bouncing between many different things at once is asking for errors. Less bouncing, less mistakes.
Better Time Management - Single-tasking requires prioritizing tasks that need to be done. If you have 5 tasks to do in one day, you can plan out the best time(s) to work on each task rather than trying to balance doing a little of each all day long.
Improved Productivity - While it may not always feel like the best way to get things done, you will be more productive as you are more likely to achieve what the author calls a “flow state”. This is the amazing feeling of what I call getting into a groove - where you lose track of time because you are so into whatever you are doing.
So let’s think about this. Do we actually feel like we are being productive when we multi-task?? Or are we just programmed to assume we are? I have given it some thought and for me, I think most of the time I could benefit from tending to less tasks at once and in turn get the same amount (or more!) done in the same timeframe. As Hari says, single-tasking is something we have to relearn. It takes patience and time redirecting our thoughts to focus on one thing at a time.
I’ve been practicing this over the last couple of weeks by doing a few things:
Do Easy Things First - If you can bang out a couple things on your list without much thought or time - get to it. You will feel more productive and the momentum will carry you forward. If you have a task that you can “set it and forget it” like laundry for example - get that started so it can do it’s thing while you work on the other items on your list.
Get comfortable - This is a big one for me - especially for when I’m working at home. If I’m wearing jeans and sitting at the kitchen table, I’m not going to be able to comfortably write. My cozy chair and soft pants are where it’s at. If it’s hot and humid out, I’m not likely to get as much weeding in the garden done if I don’t have a cool drink nearby (this situation also can be improved by choosing a prime time).
Put Away Your Phone - When I’m working on this blog post for example, I put my phone out of sight so I don’t feel the pull to check for texts/calls. Don’t forget to turn the ringer off too :)
Set a Timer - I have set a timer for myself to just sit and write. When my thoughts start to wander, I remind myself that the timer will keep me on task and that once it goes off, I can do something else productive.
Keep Notes - I have paper and a pen nearby so if something does cross my mind that I will need to address later, I can quickly write it down and get back to my original task.
Be Aware of Prime Time - Certain tasks like writing this post are better done with minimal distractions. Would I attempt writing while my kids are home? Not a good idea. Choose the best time for the task at hand. I am writing now while the kids are at school and later I can fold laundry (maybe even get help from them!) rather than vise versa.
While single-tasking can prove to be a fix to our ever stressed out multi-tasking brains, let’s be realistic - it is unlikely that it can be applied in all situations. Sometimes you have no choice but to do multiple things at once. With that said, perhaps some of these strategies will be able to guide you in looking at your day a little differently. Is there anything on your list that would benefit from the single-tasking perspective?
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