© Getty / DaniloAndjus If You Want to Get More Done, It's Time to Stop Multitasking |
When you've got a lot to do, the inclination is to try to do as much of it at the same time as possible. Multitasking has become the norm, but it's actually not always the best approach to getting things done. It's often better to focus on one challenge at a time
rather than taking on too much and never truly finishing any of it.
Need convincing? Here are eight benefits to single-task focus.
1. You'll Be Working With Your Brain's Natural Process
Our
brains can only think about one thing at a time, so when we multitask,
we're not actually doing it all at once. Since our brains are programmed
to have a single focus, that's what we're really doing - we're just
switching between each task quickly. Although there are lots of tips on
how to improve our multitasking skills, we're actually working against
our brain's natural process. And that isn't ideal for productivity. It
makes total sense that when we work with our brains, we achieve so much
more.
2. You'll Be More Productive
Naturopathic doctor James Rouse told CNN, we finish 50 percent less when we try to multitask
compared to when we focus on each task individually. If we take on too
much, we never truly finish it. When I decorated my bedroom, I had to
finish before the moving company arrived with my furniture. But in my
rush to get it all done, I tried multitasking - painting a bit of the
wall, then switching to a different paint for the wooden wardrobe doors -
and I didn't do either job well. In fact, 18 months on, my wardrobe
doors are still only half-painted. If only I'd focused on the walls, and
then the doors, it's likely both tasks would have worked out much
better. And would have both gotten finished properly, too. The constant
switching between brushes and trays cost me time rather than saved it.
3. You'll Procrastinate Less
Sometimes
we multitask because we don't want to give our full attention to a
particular chore that we're dreading. We know we have to do it, but we
can't face it. So we try to fool ourselves into thinking we're on it by
giving it a tiny bit of attention whilst we're actually doing other
things at the same time just to avoid dealing with it fully. Switching to a single-task focus will help knock procrastination on the head.
4. You'll Meet Your Deadlines More Easily
You
know that big task we've just mentioned that you've been putting off
fully dealing with? Give it your full attention and get it out of the
way first. Yes, it might be a challenge, but you're far more likely to achieve your end goal
and complete the task if you give it your sole focus. I often leave
completing the most difficult work projects to the last minute, having
given them small snatches of attention whilst multitasking, and then I
have a major stress as the deadline looms. When I deal with it on its
own, before anything else, I meet the deadline with much less
last-minute panicking.
5. You'll Be More Mindful
The big thing about mindfulness is being present
in the moment - giving our attention entirely to where we are. When we
multitask, we're constantly taking ourselves away from each thing. We
rush to move between our chores and therefore aren't able to be fully
mindful of our experience of each task. Giving all our attention to one
task helps us focus, complete, and enjoy what we're doing.
6. You'll Feel Less Stressed
Mindfulness and single-task focus helps with concentration and therefore productivity, and it also helps lower stress levels.
Multitasking is such a default position that we feel as if we're
somehow failing or not doing enough if we just focus on one thing at a
time, but our attempts to do many things at once can leave us feeling
frazzled, stressed, and like we're underachieving because we're not
fully completing anything. By letting go of distractions, you'll feel
more in control of the one thing you're giving your attention to. That
can be very empowering.
7. You'll Enjoy Life More
Most of
us have what seems like a never-ending to-do list, so we snatch any
opportunity to tick off more things. How many times have you scrolled
through your phone checking emails and social media whilst eating
breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Did you really enjoy those meals, savoring
the smell, taste, and texture of the food? I've done that countless
times and have often ended up with indigestion too. The same goes for
trying to reply to work emails while walking outside. I wouldn't have
noticed any of the wonderful things going on around me because I was
trying to multitask. If I'm eating, I should just be eating. If I'm
walking, I should just be walking - and enjoying it.
8. You Can Take It One Step at a Time
Attempting to suddenly eradicate all multitasking from your life isn't going to be possible, so take it one step at a time.
Perhaps you'll try to be mindful whilst eating your lunch today or
you'll leave your phone in your pocket on your walk to the bus stop
tomorrow. In the spirit of single-task focus, pick one area where you
usually multitask and focus on changing that habit.
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