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Abstract

ause constant task-switching is reducing your attention span.A short recreational break is another case. I am not telling to sacrifice your pee or coffee-tea. But, every minute your phone tings for your love, you martyr your focus. Do you still want to do that?<h1 id="7d15">Typical multitasking geek</h1>You are working on your computer and your phone pings. The left hand is scrolling Instagram, and the right one is firing the computer keyboard. Your eyes are also rolling between two screens.Don’t tell me it’s not you! I have seen some of my friends do it. Some of them are reading this article. Every lazy person regrets doing this. I am no exception.<h1 id="30c3">Multitasking is a misnomer.</h1>Task-switching is decreasing your REACTION SPEED.For example, let’s say you’re working at Task A ( that requires focus ) while Task B ( it can be your phone or any stimulus ) distracts you.If you have a tolerance level for distraction, then it’s sexy. But if you end up on constant social media scrolling ( or any other task ), then coming back to Task A, you will take around <a href="http://blog.idonethis.com/distractions-at-work/#:~:text=That's%20how%20many%20minutes%20of,Multiple%20studies%20confirm%20this.">25 minutes</a> to regain the concentration. Twenty-five minutes is

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a lot of time to save in the hustle culture.I didn’t know about it before I read <a href="https://readmedium.com/what-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-try-to-multitask-ad699fe66500">this</a> fantastic item by <a href="">Adriana Azor</a>. She explains in detail how multitasking is jeopardizing your reaction speed.<h1 id="3df9">Final words</h1>Our attention span is precious and limited. To ensure a focussed work environment, eliminate all the distractions. Especially the digital ones that give you dopamine boost ( instant gratification ).Fix your attention to one device while working. If it is your computer, it should be the focus for however long you can maintain it without a break.Single-tasking should be the new cool if you love your brain. See you tomorrow!This blog belongs to a series of posts I am publishing in this 100-days streak. Today is day 99. Navigate to the end of <a href="https://readmedium.com/your-phone-is-a-distraction-only-if-you-want-it-to-be-3ea75dfb081b">article 22</a>, for the references from day 23 onwards. If you would like to read the ones before day 22, here is the <a href="https://readmedium.com/21-90-rule-combined-with-seinfeld-strategy-df9f7457dc11">first one</a> that documents them in the end.~ S.</article></body>

Multitasking Gives You a False Sense of Productivity

Jacking all trades reduces your attention span

Once I used to behave cool af about practising multitasking. While going at it, I felt I was handling multiple activities at the same time while ruling the schedule like a king.

My wise dad even told me to “focus on one thing at a time, you sucker!”. But no, my stubborn mind wanted to go sonic for ultra-perfectionism.

Enter professional life

Since I joined my first job, I searched for many productivity tips on the internet.

You must have done it too, right?

Most of the advice I came around were hacks that require stringent customisation.

Science doesn’t lie

I wanted a universal answer. I trusted science, and it showed me the truth like it always does: MULTI-TASKING DOESN’T EXIST.

That’s right! Multitasking is decreasing your productivity because constant task-switching is reducing your attention span.

A short recreational break is another case. I am not telling to sacrifice your pee or coffee-tea. But, every minute your phone tings for your love, you martyr your focus. Do you still want to do that?

Typical multitasking geek

You are working on your computer and your phone pings. The left hand is scrolling Instagram, and the right one is firing the computer keyboard. Your eyes are also rolling between two screens.

Don’t tell me it’s not you! I have seen some of my friends do it. Some of them are reading this article. Every lazy person regrets doing this. I am no exception.

Multitasking is a misnomer.

Task-switching is decreasing your REACTION SPEED.

For example, let’s say you’re working at Task A ( that requires focus ) while Task B ( it can be your phone or any stimulus ) distracts you.

If you have a tolerance level for distraction, then it’s sexy. But if you end up on constant social media scrolling ( or any other task ), then coming back to Task A, you will take around 25 minutes to regain the concentration. Twenty-five minutes is a lot of time to save in the hustle culture.

I didn’t know about it before I read this fantastic item by Adriana Azor. She explains in detail how multitasking is jeopardizing your reaction speed.

Final words

Our attention span is precious and limited. To ensure a focussed work environment, eliminate all the distractions. Especially the digital ones that give you dopamine boost ( instant gratification ).

Fix your attention to one device while working. If it is your computer, it should be the focus for however long you can maintain it without a break.

Single-tasking should be the new cool if you love your brain. See you tomorrow!

This blog belongs to a series of posts I am publishing in this 100-days streak. Today is day 99. Navigate to the end of article 22, for the references from day 23 onwards. If you would like to read the ones before day 22, here is the first one that documents them in the end.

~ S.