Multi-tasking is one of those big watchwords for aspiring entrepreneurs.
And in the modern workplace, where a buzzing swarm of phone calls, memos, emails, and instant messages constantly demands our attention, it’s easy to see why. Being successful means we’re constantly in contact and on call.
We become multi-taskers very early on. The virtues of multi-tasking are drilled into us by years of schooling. Learn to multi-task properly, we’re told, and the world will open up for us. Our productivity will skyrocket, our supervisors will love us, and that juicy promotion will come our way.
Or so they say.
But multi-tasking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’m cutting way back on my multi-tasking – and here’s why.
1. Multi-Tasking Lowers Quality
Have you ever driven through a really bad storm? The kind of storm that turns your windshield white with exploding raindrops and pushes your car from side to side with furious gusts of wind?
When I encounter a storm like that, I start to really concentrate on my driving. I stop glancing at the scenery. I turn off the radio. I stop talking to my friend in the passenger seat. Why? Because all these things – all the multi-tasking that I do in the car- will affect my ability to drive well.
If you’re a chronic multi-tasker like me, you probably spend a lot of time convincing yourself that multi-tasking doesn’t affect the quality of your work. But, just like a driver in the rain, we know deep inside that we do our best work when we stop multi-tasking and focus on that one important thing.
2. Multi-Tasking Leads to Rapid Burnout
I honestly believe that our obsession with multi-tasking is one of the reasons why we get burned out so quickly.
If focusing on a single task is like smooth riding on a train of thought, then multi-tasking is like jumping from track to track hoping nothing runs you over. Without the time to focus on something, finish it, and move on, you lose the sense of accomplishment, which is very important. It’s like being on a sugar rush – you experience a brief burst of energy that leaves you physically and mentally exhausted.
3. Multi-Tasking Destroys Productivity
But wait! Isn’t multi-tasking supposed to make you more productive? Unfortunately, I think the answer is no.
In my personal experience, multi-tasking is very good at making me feel productive. Because I’m frantically dealing with ten tasks at the same time, I feel like I’m getting a lot done.
But being busy isn’t the same as being productive. At the end of the day, when I step back and take stock, I’m invariably disappointed at how little progress I’ve made by multi-tasking like a madman. In fact, I tend to get less done on days when I multi-task heavily.
It’s Not All Bad … But it Might be Lazy
Of course, multi-tasking isn’t all bad. Many people are able to accomplish quite a bit even when multi-tasking. And there are times when we have no choice but to take on several jobs at once.
Most of the time, however, I find myself resorting to frantic multi-tasking out of laziness. By laziness, I mean that I’ve probably failed to:
- Organize my work priorities
- Eliminate unnecessary tasks
- Tune out distractions from co-workers or the Internet
- Plan out my work day
- Delegate to the right people
I’m Going Back to Single-Tasking. What About You?
Are you a multi-tasker? Do you think it’s possible to do really great work while multi-tasking – or do you think that focusing on one task at a time is better? Are you more or less productive while multi-tasking?
Answer these and other burning questions with a wonderful comment below.
- Jeffrey