Are you a multitasker? Some of us seem to have a particular knack for doing five unrelated tasks simultaneously. The rest of us look at these people in awe and hope that someday, we too can ascend to this zenith of productivity. But is this holy grail of multitasking actually as productive as we perceive?
Well, psychology research has shown that the idea of multitasking is a myth: the human brain can’t actually focus on two complex tasks at once. Rather than “multitasking”, we are engaging in the process of “task-switching” where we focus on one individual task for a very short amount of time, then switch to a second task… then switch back to the first task again.
Each time we switch tasks when we’re “multitasking”, there is a short period where we have to figure out where we’re up to in the new task and the next steps to progress from there. This is known as the task-switch cost. Although it may only be a fraction of a second, this time cost adds up when you switch tasks frequently — in some cases, it can cost up to 40% of a person’s productive time. On top of that, task switching increases mental drain, leaving us feeling more tired.
So why does multitasking look and feel so productive? By its very nature, it has a faster feel — we have to maximise the output in the very limited time we have for one task before we switch to the next. Furthermore, each time we complete a mini-task, like answering an email or typing a paragraph, we get a hit of the “feel-good” hormone dopamine. It all seems to be going great until an hour has passed and you find that you haven’t made much leeway on your most important priorities.
If multitasking isn’t the way to go, then what is the solution? Instead you could try the Pomodoro Technique: work intently on one specific task for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break to reset before the next task. But different people will find that different strategies work best for them. How do you get through your workday effectively?
– The Editor
