What is Wrong With Multitasking?
What is Wrong With Multitasking?
Multitasking is the act of attempting to effectively perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Some time management trainers advocate "multitasking" as a way to become more productive.
This is wrong advice. Because, if your aim is to perform complex tasks effectively then multitasking prevents you from achieving that goal.
People who attempt to perform multiple complex tasks simultaneously, mess up.
Effective performance can only be achieved when we focus and concentrate on one task at a time.
Why? Because the mind has only a limited amount of energy available to it, which can either be focused onto a single point of high intensity effort, or dissipated across many points, with a corresponding drop in intensity applied to each point.
Effective performance of any complex task requires high intensity mental effort, which can ONLY be accomplished by concentrating 100% of available energy onto a single point.
If more than one task is attempted, then the intensity of effort applied to each task, must be reduced to less than one hundred per cent.
Therefore, an insufficient amount of mental energy is applied to the completion of each task.
The reduced intensity of applied effort will NEVER be sufficient to "crack the case", no matter how long it is applied.
So, it is vital that we focus our minds ONLY onto the task at hand.
We concentrate on performing it in the most perfect form possible.
Then we rest and recuperate.
Then we refocus our minds onto the next task and give it the maximum concentration we can muster, and in the best form we can.
Then we rest, recuperate and repeat.
We don't try to shoot two ducks with one shot, because we will miss both.
Instead we get the ducks in a row and knock them off, one at a time.
"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus". Alexander Graham Bell
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Definition: multitasking
In business, multitasking means trying to do two or more thinking jobs at the same time. You split your mind between mixed tasks, jump your focus back and forth in quick steps, and cut the deep effort each job needs. If you work on one task after another instead, that is not multitasking.
Show CG4D Definition
- The person attempts two or more tasks together
- Each task calls for active mental effort
- The tasks run at the same time instead of in clear order
- The person switches attention back and forth between tasks
Article Summary
Multitasking feels fast, yet it splits your limited mental energy, weakens focus and turns complex jobs into costly errors; work improves only when you aim all attention at one task, then rest, reset and tackle the next job with the same clear, full effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Does multitasking ever help with complex work?
Why does the brain struggle when handling many tasks at once?
How does single-task focus raise productivity?
What happens to mental energy when you split attention?
Can frequent task switching cause more errors?
Should I rest between focused work sessions?
How can I line up tasks to avoid multitasking?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
In 2022, University of California, Irvine researchers observed that office workers switched focus every 47 seconds on average, down from more than 3 minutes in 2004. Microsoft’s 2023 Work Trend Index, based on a survey of 31,000 employees, found that 68% say they do not get enough uninterrupted focus time during the workday.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Time Management
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Good Time Management is Stress Management
Discover proven time management tips to reduce work stress, prioritise tasks and defeat procrastination so you work smarter, meet deadlines and feel calm daily.
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Managing Stress
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What is the Action Priority Matrix?
Learn how the Action Priority Matrix ranks tasks by impact and effort to secure quick wins, advance major projects, delegate chores and sharpen time management.
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What is Time Blocking and Protected Time?
Time blocking and protected time let you plan fixed focus blocks, cut distractions and finish projects faster. Learn how to set them up for productivity gains.
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How do you judge what is "important"?
Learn how to prioritise tasks, balance personal and organisational goals, and use long term thinking to avoid short term traps in time management decisions.
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