Multitasking: The Illusion of Productivity

Multitasking is praised as a valuable skill in our fast-paced world.

We’re constantly encouraged to juggle multiple tasks at once, both at work and in our personal lives.

But have you ever stopped to question whether this approach actually makes us more productive? What if focusing on one task at a time could lead to better results?

From proudly juggling multiple tasks to embracing the power of focus, this is my journey of debunking the multitasking myth and discovering the life-changing benefits of single-tasking.

Introduction
Why We Think Multitasking is Beneficial & What’s the Real Deal
Single task
Favorite techniques and benefits

Introduction

I didn’t wake up to this belief. Not at all, quite the opposite.

I was the person who proudly described herself as a multitasker. A successful multitasker. But now when thinking about it, even the more simple and less important things as cooking and watching your favourite show wasn’t possible without focusing more on one of them. It just is not a thing.

Multitasking is a different word for doing everything on 50%.

It’s time to debunk the myth and embrace the power of single-tasking.

Why We Think Multitasking is Beneficial & What’s the Real Deal

We’ve all bought into this idea that multitasking is great.

We think it saves time and makes us super productive. Job ads always say they want people who can multitask, so we figure it must be a good skill to have.

We’ve trained ourselves to juggle multiple tasks, constantly switching between emails, calls, chats, and in-person interactions.

And now we’re doing this in our personal lives too. It’s like we’re setting these crazy high standards for ourselves and everyone else.

But here’s the thing – we never really stop to ask if all this juggling actually helps us get more done. What if it’s just making us scattered and stressed out?

Are we really doing better, or are we just running around like crazy trying to keep up with everything?

As the saying goes, “If everything is urgent, then nothing is” – maybe it’s time we rethink our approach from multitask to simply tasks and prioritize what truly matters.

I’d say the worst consequence of multitasking is the feeling of failure and inadequacy. Wouldn’t you agree?

I always remind myself of this when I’m tempted to choose relaxation over productivity after my morning gym session, a full day at work, and cooking dinner. Instead of feeling like a failure for not following my plan to blog, read, or clean, I remember that taking things one step at a time and day by day are my guiding principles.

I understand the desire to accomplish everything today, but we need to consider the cost. Is it worth sacrificing our well-being or quality of work just to check off all the boxes?

It’s like we’re on this never-ending treadmill, always running but never quite reaching our goals. This pressure to be superhuman is taking a toll on our self-esteem and mental health, leaving us feeling like we’re just not good enough.

Although there’s bunch of thing you can do to boost your self-esteem, read more in BUILDING UNSHAKEABLE SELF-ESTEEM: YOUR GUIDE TO INNER CONFIDENCE, in this case I’d say one thing:

The answer to how to multitask is simple: DON’T!!!

Single task

I’ve realized that focusing on one thing at a time is a game-changer in my personal life.

Take conversations, for example. When I meet up with a friend, I make it a point to give them my full attention. No phone, no distractions – just us talking. It’s not just about being polite; it’s about really valuing that time we’ve set aside to connect.

One of my biggest pet peeves is definitely poor communication skills. You know, when someone’s not fully present during a conversation, doesn’t make eye contact, or has closed-off body language.

It really bothers me. I can’t stand it when people do this, and I make a conscious effort not to do it to others either. I believe good communication is all about being engaged and showing that you’re listening, both with your words and your body language.

This got me thinking – why not apply this approach to everything else? I mean, it works wonders for building stronger relationships, right? So I started trying it in other areas of my life too.

You know, I get why people think multitasking is efficient. On the surface, it looks like you’re getting more done. But let’s be honest – are you really doing anything well when you’re juggling ten things at once?

Sure, single-tasking might seem slower at first, but with the right strategy, you can make it work.

And at the end of the day, what feels better: being stressed and doing a bunch of things half-heartedly, or feeling satisfied because you’ve given your all to each task?

For me, it’s no contest. I’d rather take my time and nail it.
Since I’ve started this whole single-tasking thing, I feel more present and way less stressed in my everyday life. It’s like I’m actually living my life instead of just rushing through it.

If you want to dive deep into the single-task approach, I recommend ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller.

Favorite techniques and benefits

The Pomodoro Technique has been a game-changer for me.

Working in focused 25-minute bursts 9(sometimes I even stretch to 40 minutes when I’m in the flow) with short breaks in between really helps me stay on track.

However, for this technique to work, it’s crucial to create a distraction-free environment. Otherwise, you’ll blink and suddenly realize those 25 minutes are gone, wasted on reading a random article or mindlessly scrolling through your Instagram feed. It’s amazing how quickly time can slip away if you’re not careful about eliminating distractions.

I’ve also found that batching similar tasks together saves me a ton of mental energy – it’s so much easier to stay in the flow when I’m not constantly switching gears.

Prioritizing and time-blocking have been crucial too. I now set specific times for important tasks, which helps me resist the urge to multitask.

Additionally, I’ve started putting my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ when I need to focus. It’s amazing how much more I can get done when I’m not constantly checking notifications.

This post was all about the power of single-tasking and why it’s superior to multitasking. I shared my personal experiences, favorite techniques like the Pomodoro method, and how focusing on one thing at a time has transformed my productivity, relationships, and overall well-being.