Do you believe in multitasking?

There are some facts about multitasking that have been proven by science. Once you see the facts, you’ll realize that you need to stop multitasking if you want to truly increase not only your productivity but also the quality of your work.

split brain

When we try to do more than one task at a time, we don’t really focus on tasks very well. In fact, we focus half on one and half on the other. Remember that switching between tasks is not multitasking, it is switching. Then when you switch back, you have to take the time again to get back on track with what you were doing in the beginning.

Clothes

There is one exception to the above and it comes with developing habits. A good example is driving. When you first start driving, you find it hard to steer, hit the brakes, hit the gas, and pay attention. But, after a while, as you gain experience, you don’t even remember the ride home from work. This is because driving becomes a habit.

context switch

Forcing your brain to switch from one thing to another that is in a totally different context is really very tiring. It can increase stress and confusion. If you have ever met a “distracted teacher” kind of person, it will look like their lights are off when you ask them a question. But, really, they’re just trying to change the context in their brain.

short term memory problems

Scientists at the University of Michigan and the University of California agree that multitasking can also stress the brain so much that it can cause short-term memory problems. If you find you can’t remember things and have major problems slipping your mind, consider whether you’re biting off more than you can chew and trying to do too much at once.

There is no such thing as a good multitasker

Researchers at the National Academy of Sciences (NASS) conducted studies showing that even people who think they are “good” at multitasking and do it every day are bad at it. Not only that: the people who actually multitask the most are reducing their productivity by about 50% by continuing to multitask.

People who think they’re bad at multitasking try to avoid it, but people who think they’re good at it consider it a skill. One, ironically, that they’re not really good at.

Children do poorly at homework while watching TV

Homework, study and television do not go together. In fact, anyone (including students) should find ways to focus 100% on whatever he wants to learn and retain. Simply doing it while watching TV, texting, and doing other things costs students a lot in terms of subject matter comprehension and test performance.