Multitasking
- Philip Brophy
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Multitaskers beware! • 2 min read
It seems illogical because when we are working on lots of things at once, it can feel like our productivity levels are skyrocketing. However, researchers in the University of Michigan found that multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%. So, when we feel like we're getting twice as much done in the short-term, the reality is that it's closer to half as much.
It's not just our short-term performance that suffers from multitasking. Further research has shown that excessive multitaskers have more trouble filtering out irrelevant information, they are slower at identifying patterns and finally, they have worse long-term memories.
Introduction
The reason many of us love to multitask is because when we get to do lots of things at once, our brains tell us that we are more productive and we experience greater emotional satisfaction. However, it has the complete opposite effect in terms of productivity. So today is the day that we end this abominable love affair with multitasking!
Let’s look at the impact of switching tasks on our brains and the knock on effect it has on our productivity.
Switching tasks
Firstly, well done for sticking with us and not switching to something else...great single tasking right there!
We understand that email and message notifications are the equivalent of a big red button...all we want to do is press it!
But they disrupt our “flow” and when we switch tasks, we allocate a portion of our cognitive capacity to something else. This means that both the effort and time required to complete the first task increases. This is particularly true when we are working on a task that requires significant brain power or focus.
For example, if we are listening to something, our vision becomes less active. If we are speaking with a friend, colleague or client and you are working on your computer at the same time, you will hear less of what they are saying.
Multitasking in practice
One of the primary reasons we multitask is because we experience satisfaction. Take our phones for example, they are one of the primary reasons we switch tasks. Lots of us are addicted to our phones because every time we pick it up, we get a little injection of dopamine.
Dopamine is a hormone produced by our brains and it’s one of the primary motivators for behaviour. When we exercise, eat delicious food or have positive social interactions, our brains deliver us dopamine.
This means that everytime we pick up our phone, or switch tasks to respond to an email, we get a dopamine hit.
Why would we ever stop?!
Ready to discover what those smart cookies have discovered in their research?
Key takeaways
When we switch tasks, we allocate a portion of our cognitive capacity to something else, meaning that both the effort and time required to complete the first task increases.
If you’re keen to boost both efficiency and productivity, work on one thing at a time.
Research has shown that multitaskers are up to 40% less productive.
Think big. act small
Identify the main sources of distractions behind your multitasking behaviour.
Remove these distractions for a short period of time to begin with, e.g. try for 30 minutes on a Monday.
Focus on one important task to complete.
Content sources
Harvard Business Review, You Can’t Multitask, So Stop Trying, Paul Atchley
Peak Performance, Brad Stulbergand Steve Magness
Science In The News, Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A battle for your time, Trevor Haynes
The Illusion of Multitasking and Its Positive Effect on Performance, Shalena Srna
The Journal of Social Psychology, The Mere Presence of a Cell Phone May be Distracting, Implications for Attention and Task Performance, Bill Thornton et al
ความคิดเห็น