No, Multitasking Isn’t an Effective Way to Do Things

You’ve probably been told that multitasking is the ultimate skill. Employers love it, schools encourage it, and everyone seems to brag about how they can juggle ten things at once. But here’s the truth: multitasking doesn’t actually work. In fact, it makes you slower, more stressed, and less productive.

Why Multitasking Feels Like It Works (But Doesn't)

It feels great to be "busy." You’re answering texts while watching a video, scrolling social media during work, and flipping between emails and assignments. It seems efficient, but your brain is not actually doing multiple things at once—it's just switching between tasks really fast. And every time you switch, you lose time and focus.

Studies show that task-switching can reduce productivity by up to 40 percent. That’s almost half your workday wasted just from trying to do too much at once.

The Cost of Constant Switching

Here’s what happens when you multitask:

• You make more mistakes - Ever sent a text with embarrassing typos because you were half-listening to a conversation? That’s your brain struggling to split attention.
• You take longer to finish everything - When you switch between tasks, your brain needs time to refocus.
• Your memory gets worse - Have you ever read something while watching TV and then immediately forget what you just read? That’s because your brain wasn’t fully engaged.
• You get tired faster - Your brain burns more energy when it constantly shifts focus, leaving you mentally drained and unmotivated.

Single-Tasking: The Real Productivity Hack

Instead of multitasking, try just focusing on one task at a time until it’s finished. While it seems novel to try and get one thing done at a time, sometimes situations dictate that you end up trying to juggle several tasks. Here’s why doing one thing at a time is better:

• You finish tasks faster - Since your brain isn’t constantly switching gears, you stay in the flow and get work done quicker.
• Your work quality improves - When you give something your full attention, you make fewer mistakes and remember details better.
• You get way less stressed - Juggling too much at once creates mental chaos; and in some people, complete panic. By focusing on one task at a time, it keeps things clear and manageable.

How to Stop Multitasking and Start Focusing

If you’re used to multitasking, shifting to single-tasking takes practice. A good way to start is by using time blocks. Set a timer for 25 to 50 minutes and focus on one task until the time is up, then take a short break before moving on to something else. Eliminating distractions also helps—silence notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and put your phone away while working. 

Creating a to-do list can keep you on track by allowing you to prioritize tasks and complete them one at a time instead of jumping between them. Most importantly, train your brain to stay focused. If you catch yourself multitasking, pause and bring your attention back to one thing at a time. It takes practice to break the habit, but the results are worth it.

At Inertia Group, Inc., we help keep your IT up and running so you don’t have to worry about lapses in productivity coming from technology downtime. Give us a call today at (305) 447-7628 to talk to one of our knowledgeable consultants about how to get the most out of your team using technology.