Multitasking: good or bad?

Multitasking means doing more than one thing at a time. It is a trend recommended by many for its productivity. However, according to the studies, multitaskers actually get work done less efficiently and effectively.

The essence of multitasking

Popular though multitasking is, that human beings are unable to handle two or more things at once. When you are dealing with multiple tasks with high proficiency, you’re actually switching really quickly between the tasks. Compared with doing one task at a time, multitasking generates lots of switch costs, such as leading to more mistakes, making it harder to concentrate, and slowing down your work etc.

Side effects of multitasking

• Lower efficiency: Whether you admit it or not, doing two things simultaneously takes more time than one thing. More time is wasted in switching yourself back and forth between different tasks.
• More mistakes: During multitasking, your mind is always wandering, making it easier for you to make mistakes. This might be less obvious when you’re doing two simple things like listening to music while doing chores. But things become worse and more dangerous when the tasks are more complex.
• More distraction: According to research, people who chronically multitask are more likely to get distracted than those who like to monotask, even if they are doing the same thing.

How to be productive without multitasking

• Do one task at a time: To get work done efficiently, you can do one task at a time for at least 20 minutes to ensure you finish the work without any distractions. You can set a time limit for each task so that you finish your work quickly one by one.
• Try time-blocking: Time blocking means that you tackle multiple similar tasks at the same time. For example, instead of checking notifications and emails whenever they pop out, you check and respond to these emails in a set time and focus on other things the rest of the day.

• Assign priorities: Sometimes multitasking is simply because you think all the tasks are of the same importance. And this is the reason why you have a lower efficiency. Before work, you can prioritize the tasks according to their level of urgency, relative impact etc. Then focus on the most important task at a time.
• Use “Do Not Disturb”: You can also use the “Do Not Disturb” feature to better control your focus time. That way, you can avoid all the notifications that may get you distracted.