You’re doing too much and won’t ever get anything done.

Have you ever had the feeling that you are busier than you’ve ever been, but can’t think of the last time anything was ever done?

It’s no wonder. Our modern world is obsessed with the idea of ‘productivity’ and this, for most of us, is translated to “multitasking.” I know you’ve heard that word, but what on earth does it mean? It sounds like a wonderful skill where someone can do multiple things simultaneously. But guess what.

Multitasking is a scam.

Sorry to the bearer of bad news, but humans just can’t do multiple things at once. You can probably walk and eat ice cream at the same time, but can you write an email and discuss short-term project goals with a colleague at the same time? I bet you’ve tried, but I would also imagine it resulted in a poorly written email, or a disconnected, broken conversation. Maybe both. The truth is that each task requires your focus, and our brains can only focus on one thing at a time.

And yet, we believe in multitasking, brag about how well we can do it, and constantly, day after day, try and fail at it.

Why do we multitask?

I doubt I’m the first person to tell you that humans can’t multitask. If we know we can’t do it, why do we try? The problem is that our lives are filled with distractions and mini-deadlines on every level. For many of us, our life is already split into three distinct categories:

• Personal — your dreams, wishes, hobbies
• Family — the needs and wants of those closest to you
• Work — doing something of value to make money and to grow

That means your entire life is already split into a queue — unless you are the rare person who has turned their single dream/wish/hobby into a family business. But even if you have, there are still plenty more opportunities for distractions! Let’s examine the biggies.

Internet

It’s always there — in our pockets, on our work computers — and it’s always enticing. How often do you check for new emails, the news, or Facebook?

Other People

In the office, you might be jamming away in a perfect bubble of focus, just to have it burst by someone who needs something. At home, you could be enjoying a book when the phone rings.

Too Many Projects

This is a big one that I struggle with. I might have three projects at Helpful Human that all need my attention, and, as a result, I can’t start on any of them.

Multitasking Fatigue

Yes, it’s real! We can all get burnt out when we try to do too much, and that prevents us from doing more. Pretty much a vicious circle.

How to fix it

Don’t worry; there is light at the end of the tunnel! If we can define the problem as “multitasking,” then the solution is “singular focus.” Achieving this goal isn’t going to happen overnight and will take some practice and dedication, but there are some steps you can take to get started.

Learn to say “No.”

The next time something gets heaped onto your plate, ask yourself “is this a priority?” If you remember that time is a valuable, limited resource, you can start evaluating new tasks on a time-to-value scale.

Take mandatory breaks

Fight fatigue! Instead of pushing yourself to the breaking point before lunch, then struggling to get through the afternoon, learn to pace yourself. Take 5 minutes to walk around every half hour. On a larger scale, find time to give yourself an hour, an evening, an entire weekend of free time.

Divide your day by intention

Try to focus on the task at hand. If you are writing an email, do that and nothing else for the next 5 minutes. If you are working on Project X, don’t think about Project Z for the entire morning.

Here’s the hardest one: if you are at work, de-prioritize your family and your hobbies. By giving work your full attention, you should be able to completely detach from it by the end of the day. Then, it’s time to give the other things in your life your undivided attention.

Stick with it

Unlike riding a bike, having singular focus isn’t something that always stays with you once you figure it out. Instead, every day is another struggle to avoid distractions. Stick with it. You will get better at it.

Putting it all together

The best way to get started is to make it a habit of writing things down. I have always had a hard time keeping a to-do list, but I’ve found that it really helps me stay focused. Organize your day so that you know what’s coming next, and what’s already done. If you always have to keep a list of what needs to get done in your head, then you’re multitasking just by having to remember it!

It can also be helpful to keep track of how well you did each day. Take notes on whether or not you stayed focused or got distracted. What was exceptionally difficult? What came surprisingly easy? Did you learn a new trick or discover something that you definitely should not repeat?

Avoiding the desire to multitask and replacing it with singular focus will (surprisingly!) save time, and result in a better quality of work. Believe me, I know how hard it is to single-task when everyone around you is bouncing back and forth, but don’t worry about them. After all, you’re going to start focusing on one thing at a time, so might as well start with yourself.