We’ve all heard of multitasking. Heck, we all do it. It’s part of our culture as we interact with one another through cell phones, text, emails and personal conversations. The term multi-tasking actually comes from the computer industry, referring to multi-core computers, where each core can perform a separate task simultaneously.
There’s just one problem: we aren’t computers.
We find ourselves trying to multitask even if we don’t want to! It’s become integrated into our daily routine, the common fallacy being that multi-tasking will allow us to get more done, quicker. We talk on the phone while driving, answer emails while listening to the radio and even try to carry on a conversation through Facebook while at work. How does all this multi-tasking affect productivity? Is there a limit to the number of things you can do at once?
Yes there is, because you’re not really multitasking. You’re multi-switching.
Since the 1990’s, extensive experiments have shown that when we think we’re multitasking, what we’re really doing is switching between tasks at phenomenal speed. This creates the illusion of multitasking, when in fact our brain can truly only focus on one task at a time. Because the brain is forced to restart and refocus, we are rapidly toggling between tasks, splitting our attention and wasting time. This creates a consistent set of problems.
• We take longer to complete tasks (productivity drops by as much as 40%)
• We are predisposed to error
• We experience more stress (releasing stress hormones and adrenaline)
Psychologist David Meyer of the University of Michigan explains that as we try to perform tasks at the same time, our brains are forced to place priorities on each activity. It’s called “adaptive executive control”. By prioritizing the tasks, the brain tries to maintain a resemblance of order, while having the ability to set aside unfinished tasks, allowing you to come back and resume where you left off.
Think you’re the exception? You’d be wrong. Unlike other aspects of your life, multitasking works against you the more you practice it, degrading your ability to process information, learn and perform. You become more susceptible to irrelevant environmental stimuli and your productivity dramatically drops over time. Even similar tasks can overwhelm the brain when there are too many.
Prove to yourself once and for all if you’re the exception to the rule. Take a test by Dave Crenshaw, author of “The Myth of Multitasking: How ‘Doing it All’ Gets Nothing Done” to find out.
So, slow down at little. Focus on one thing at a time. Remove distractions as much as possible- turn off cell phones, log off Twitter, close your office door. Finish a task to completion before beginning another. You will likely be surprised at how much quicker you can complete projects, at a higher level of quality in fact.
Tyler is a professional writer and marketer for USCharterService. He has a marketing degree from the University of Utah, where he learned the limits of multitasking. He is an avid snowboarder and loves the outdoors.
I totally agree that I’m more productive when I focus on one thing at a time. The problem that is high level management roles we will little choice but to juggle many things at once, it’s just part of the job. So although I like what you are saying, it’s very difficult to implement practically.
High level management, executives and business leaders do have a tougher time with productivity because they are pulled in so many directions, but setting aside specific time that you cannot be bothered can have a profound effect on how much can get done. Similar to your own idea of truly working three hours a day
It is not easy, and may seem impractical, but with focus and commitment even small changes can have a big impact.