Despite only 2% of us actually being proficient at multitasking, there’s a widespread myth that it is the best way to work to maximize our outputs. However, the human brain isn’t made to constantly switch between areas of focus and so this can lead to you doing more work at a lower level of quality in the long run. While it’s not realistic to imagine a world without multitasking, taking the time to understand what multitasking truly is and the impact it has on productivity may help you mitigate losses in the long run and make your workday just a little better.
Multitasking Types
While multitasking is basically just doing more than one thing at once, this can actually have a lot more meaning than you expect. In fact, there are three types of multitasking:
- Performing Two or More Tasks Simultaneously – the basic definition which could be anything from texting while driving to finishing off a report during a meeting
- Switching Tasks Without Completing Work – a priority change where you have to drop something you were working on to start something else immediately
- Performing Two or More Tasks in Rapid Succession – not taking a break between tasks, even if it doesn’t feel like multitasking it is
Clara Dunbar, a business writer at Elite assignment help and Revieweal, points out “All of these may feel like they are very different, but at the core, they are doing the same thing – increasing mental fatigue and reducing your focus on your work.”
Multitasking Personalities
Now we have a broad view of the types of multitasking, it’s worth having a look at the four main personalities of multitasking and what to look out for in ourselves:
- Approach-Oriented or Reward-Focused – someone focussed on the potential rewards of multi-tasking and the benefits it affords
- High-Sensation Seekers – those who need constant stimulation that can occur with the novelty of starting a new task
- Belief You’re in the 2% – someone who thinks their abilities in multitasking are better than they are
- Trouble Focusing – those who struggle with distraction and procrastination
If you fall into one of these categories then it can be very hard to shake the urge to multitask and you may need to take time to try and identify the root cause of the issue.
Context Switching vs Task Switching
“It is important to highlight the difference between switching between similar tasks and switching contexts. Both will side-track your productivity but context switching can become a massive problem as you are switching onto something completely different to a task you were previously working on,” cautions Joshua Lockhart, a project manager at Ukwritings review and UK Services reviews.
Trying to focus on a task to get it done is hard enough with jumping between them, when you add a layer of switching context you can end up completely derailed from what you were doing. While it feels less of an issue to task switching where you are actively going between two pieces of work, it actually is your focus that takes the hit leading to lower productivity. This is the downside of working an open plan, if you get interrupted it can take you over 25 minutes to get your brain back on track to complete the task you were working on before. If you can minimize distractions and focus on individual tasks then you should find this improving.
Improving Task Management
So how do you go about improving your task management? First, start by breaking down any complex tasks into segments that are easily worked on. Then plan out so that you are working on similar tasks at the same time to reduce the likelihood that you will switch focus onto a completely different subject.
Finally, focus on one task at a time and complete it before you move on to something else. This is much easier said than done, but if you can block out time to focus on those tasks you find especially challenging or are easily distracted from then you can make it clear that you are not available at that time so external interruptions shouldn’t be a problem. The only issue is keeping yourself on track.
Look into tools like the Pomodoro technique to keep you focussed on a task for a certain amount of time and remember to take regular breaks to recharge. Increase the length of the break if you are switching from one context to another to give your brain time to reset and get ready to start something new.
Overall, you are never going to completely eliminate multitasking but by taking some careful steps and beginning to understand where you yourself may be making mistakes you can start to improve your productivity bit by bit.
Project coordinator and technical writer Sara Sparrow, Do my essay and Essay help, spends most of her time participating in conferences and consulting businesses on technology and marketing. In her spare time, however, she likes to share her knowledge of business by writing articles for online magazines and blogs like Big Assignments.