How multitasking affects productivity?

How multitasking affects productivity: Multitasking means constantly working on two or more chores simultaneously, switching back and forth from one thing to another, or performing several tasks in a quick sequence. 

While multitasking seems like a great idea to get a lot of things done at once, as per the research, our brains are not as good at managing multiple tasks as we think they are. Some research suggests that multitasking can hamper your productivity by decreasing your attention, and overall performance.

While multitasking, you might seem like you are achieving multiple things at the same time, but what you are doing is fast shifting your attention from one thing to the next. Changing tasks may make it challenging to avoid distractions and can cause mental blocks that can slow you down.

A few examples of multitasking

• Doing two projects at the same time
• Listening to the songs while driving 
• Talking to someone while typing an assignment
• Scrolling through social media in a meeting
• Talking to someone while writing a to-do list

How multitasking affects your productivity

Multitasking takes a toll on your productivity. Our brains cannot complete multiple tasks at the same time in moments where we think we are multitasking, we are just switching quickly from one task to another. Focusing on a single task is an effective approach for different reasons.

Multitasking is distracting

Multitaskers may get more distracted than people who concentrate on one task at a time. As per some research, multitaskers are more distractible, and they may have a problem focusing their attention even when they are working on a single task at once. While there may be a connection between distraction and multitasking, that link is smaller than originally thought and changes quite a bit from person to person.

Multitasking makes you slow

Changing our focus regularly also keeps us away from relying on automatic behaviors to complete tasks quickly. When we are concentrated on a single task that we have done before, we can work on the task more easily which frees up mental resources. By switching assignments we tend to work more slowly.

Also Read: How to increase the attention span?

Multitaskers make mistakes

It may lower your performance and make you more inclined to make mistakes. People may also encounter more down performance while multitasking. One study found that older adults were likely to make more mistakes if they were multitasking. 

How to break the habit of multitasking:

Limit the number of the task at one time

If you do need to work on multiple things at once, try to mix something automatic, like washing laundry in a machine, with something that requires more focus, like having a conversation.

Batch your tasks

If you are having trouble having the urge to engage in another distracting task, schedule a set time in your day to deal with it. By batching similar tasks together and setting a time to handle them, you can free your mind up to focus on more important things.

Limit distractions

This may mean seeking out a more peaceful place to work and turning off notifications and alarms from the phone.