Multitasking

Multitasking refers to the ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once by focusing on one task while keeping track of others.

All of us take pride in ourselves by announcing that I am a multitasker. But did you know that multitasking can reduce productivity by 40%?

You may think that you are multitasking but you are simply rushing through tasks, changing focus from one task to another.

What would happen if you keep checking your emails or WhatsApp while driving?

You may run into an accident

The same goes for your work.

Multitasking can significantly reduce your ability to focus.

In the brain, multitasking is managed by executive functions. These control and manage cognitive processes and determine how, when, and in what order certain tasks are performed.

There are two stages to the executive control process

Goal shifting: Deciding to do one thing instead of another

Role activation: Changing from the rules for the previous task to rules for the new task

Moving through these may only add a few tenths of a second, but it can start to add up when people switch back and forth repeatedly. if you are in a situation where safety or productivity is important, such as when you are driving in heavy traffic, even small amounts of time can prove critical.

Now that you understand the potential detrimental impact of multitasking, you can put this knowledge to work to increase your productivity and efficiency.

The next time you find yourself multitasking when you are trying to be productive, take a quick assessment of the various things you are trying to accomplish. Eliminate distractions and try to focus on one task at a time.

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