Multitasking - is it still "in"?

We get it. You want to be able to do as much as possible and juggle multiple plates! This is what our parents taught us, school, and our first jobs. You may have been told that multitasking is a virtue, a needed skill set in the modern working world! Technology advanced in this direction too, seeking how to help humans multitask better.

However, it may not be as valuable as we thought it was. In fact, it could be a hindrance to your productivity and the quality of your work. Recent Brain Health and Brain Performance research is showing this to be true - so, how do we re-program the decades of multitasking rhetoric ingrained in us?

In this article, we’ll break down some of the issues with multi-tasking. We’ll also provide a helpful alternative to help you manage multiple tasks effectively while still producing good work!

The Negative Effects of Productivity on Workflow

Think back to a time when you were trying to do two things at once. Maybe you were trying to reply to a coworker on Slack, or draft an email in the middle of writing a report. Now, how effectively did you do either of those things? Was it easy to return to the task you were working on after you had to stop.

It’s important to understand what happens when we try to multitask. We don’t actually do both things at the same time. Instead, we do something called ‘task switching.’ Basically, our mind switches between the two tasks very quickly, sometimes so fast that it creates the illusion of doing both at the same time. 

Impediment to Flow

One of the most clear issues of multitasking is how it disrupts focus and makes flow difficult. As we talked about in a previous article (include link), the flow state allows you to produce better quality work. Constantly switching back and forth between tasks isn’t a great way to maintain flow. That doesn’t mean that you can’t enter flow while working on different tasks, but a distracted state of mind generally isn’t as receptive to flow. 

At the very least, you’ll probably experience a break in momentum from these tasks. Having to constantly stop and start again means you’ll have to spend a little time figuring out where you were and getting back into the mindset you were in while working. 

Multitasking can appear efficient and look like you’re getting a lot done. In reality though, it’s actually the opposite. Since you can’t tap into flow or focus for a prolonged period of time, the quality of your work dips, and it can take longer to get everything accomplished. 

Alternatives

Let’s talk about some alternative steps you can take to shift away from multitasking at work:

Plan different tasks and work on them individually: You may have a lot you need to get done and a limited amount of time to do them. Set aside some time for all of them, and work on them one at a time. Even with limited time, it’s still better to give your full attention to each task.

Be mindful and engaged: Focus on bringing your attention into the present moment. Multitasking can train your mind to wander, making you distracted. Whether you're in a meeting or working on a project, the current task should be the center of your world at that moment. You’ll get to the other tasks in time. 

Discuss multitasking with others: Lastly, this will likely be an issue you’ll need to discuss with your coworkers and manager. Have an honest and open conversation about the effects of multitasking, what expectations are around slack messages and emails, and how you can best structure workflow. Remember that others may have good reasons to want multitasking, so it’s good to listen to them and communicate respectfully. 

Improve Your WorkFlow with a Career Coach

If you’re looking to get the most out of your workday, a career coach can help you reach your peak performance while balancing mental health. Consider our coaching program at Mindset City Co to see how we can help you meet your goals.