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We like to think we’re masters of multitasking. Answering emails while watching TV, listening to a podcast while scrolling Instagram, cooking dinner while texting a friend. It feels productive, like we’re getting more done in less time.
Except we’re not. Science says multitasking is a myth. Our brains aren’t built to handle multiple tasks at once, they just switch between them very quickly which makes us feel like we’re doing two things at once. So mult-tasking is actually task-switching. And the cost? We get less done, make more mistakes, and burn out faster.
Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work
The term ‘multitasking’ was actually coined for computers, not humans. A computer can run multiple programs at once, but the human brain? Not so much. In reality, when we try to multitask, our brains are just shifting attention between tasks, which leads to something called the switch cost effect—the mental energy wasted every time we refocus.
It’s been heavily researched and proven that multitasking decreases focus, productivity, and creativity. Here’s why:
1. You Waste Brain Power Switching Between Tasks
Every time you switch from one task to another, your brain has to reset. This is commonly known as the ‘switch cost effect’. This might seem tiny, but over the course of a day, those mini refocuses add up.
- Studies show that switching tasks can reduce productivity by 40% (APA).
- Checking a quick text? It can take you 23 minutes to regain full focus.
- A study by Hewlett Packard found that people who received texts and emails while working had a 10-point drop in IQ—the same impact as missing a full night’s sleep.
2. You Make More Mistakes
Constantly switching tasks means your brain is always playing catch-up. When you return to a task, you’re more likely to make errors because you’re not in deep focus mode. If you’ve ever sent an email with a glaring typo because you were also replying to Slack messages—you’ve seen this in action.
3. You Kill Your Creativity
Creative thinking requires mental space. Your brain has two modes: analytical (focused thinking) and insight (creative problem-solving). Insight happens when your brain is relaxed—this is why you get your best ideas in the shower.
Multitasking overloads your brain, leaving no room for those creative connections to happen. No space = no big ideas.
4. You Remember Less
Multitasking doesn’t just make you less productive—it affects your memory. When you’re constantly switching focus, your brain struggles to store information properly. Johann Hari calls this the Diminished Memory Effect: “If you switch a lot, evidence suggests you will be slower, you’ll make more mistakes, you’ll be less creative, and you’ll remember less of what you do.”
The result? You don’t retain as much of what you read, work takes longer, and you feel more mentally drained.
Okay - but what about talking on the phone whilst washing the dishes? Sometimes we do two tasks at once, but one of them is habitual, such as washing the dishes. If you have been knitting for 10 years, it becomes muscle memory so your brain can do this without actively thinking.
How to Stop Multitasking & Actually Get More Done
So, if multitasking is slowing us down, what’s the alternative? Here are three simple ways to work smarter, not harder:
1. Mono-task
Focus on one task at a time. Give it your full attention before moving on to the next. This helps you get into deep work mode and finish tasks faster.
2. Time Block
Schedule dedicated time slots for different tasks instead of bouncing between them. Example: Answer emails from 9-10 AM, then work on a project from 10-12 PM.
3. Remove Distractions
Put your phone on Do Not Disturb, mute notifications, and create a workspace that helps you stay focused.
4. Close Tabs
Too many open tabs? They split your focus. Keep only the essentials open and resist the urge to switch between tasks.
5. Batch Similar Tasks
Group similar tasks together—reply to emails in one go, do small 5 minute tasks together and do creative work in uninterrupted blocks.
By focusing on one thing at a time, reducing distractions, and giving your brain space to think, you’ll actually get more done and feel less overwhelmed.
If you want to read more about focus and attention, we massively recommend ‘Stolen Focus’ by Johann Hari.
