Stop Multitasking Now

Please don’t read this article while ‘multitasking’. Give it 2 minutes completely of its own.

Multiple studies have confirmed that true multitasking — doing more than one task simultaneously — is impossible for our brain. We can do only one task at any given time.

Then How do some people claim to be ‘multi-tasking’?

What They are doing without noticing is rapid switching. They are switching from one task to another very quickly such that it appears that they are doing more than one task at a time.

Before we dwell deeper into the theory Let’s do two tasks

1. Say letters of your full name and then count from 1 to 10.

For me, it will A-A-Y-U-K-H-A-R-B-A-N-D-A, 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9–10

Easy?

2. Say letters of your full name and numbers from 1 to 10 alternatively

For me, it will be A-1-A-2-Y-3-U-4-K-5-H-6-A-7-R-8-B-9-A-10-D-A

Harder?

The first task was ‘sequential single tasking’ and the second was ‘rapid switching ‘

Every time we switch our focus from one task to another there are two “costs” our brain bear

· The Additional energy used to employ different parts of the brain for different tasks

· The cost of residual memory from the previous task

I hope you are sold on the concept of ‘single tasking’ now. Let me garnish the learnings by few tips and benefits

Benefits of Single-tasking

· Less stress

· High Focus

· More Creativity

Tips to reduce so-called multi-tasking

· Dedicate time for each task

· Block Notifications and Distracting Websites

· Alternate between periods of focus and breaks

· Optimize work environment for focus

· Say No to tasks you can’t accommodate in your schedule — Want to know how? read this