An Alternative to Multitasking

Multitasking. The quintessential trait that’s on everyone’s resume and that many people take pride in. We all seem to multitask through our days, but did you know that it could actually be slowing you down? Before I tell you why (and let you in on a better alternative), ask yourself where you fit on the multitasking spectrum.

Have You Ever:

• Attended a virtual meeting while you scrolled your phone for the latest headlines (or, ahem, checked your social media notifications)? 
• Juggled two work projects at the exact same time because you thought you could do them in half the time?
• Listened to a training/course/book while folding the laundry, cooking a meal, and/or caring for a family member?
• Checked your email or phone several times in the middle of a project?

It might seem like you’re streamlining your to-do list by tackling several things at once, but you can actually be cluttering up your brain! When there is information overload happening, it can lead to more mistakes, allows you to retain less information, and actually changes how your brain works (not for the better). 

In fact, multitasking on projects that require a lot of thought can make your IQ score dip the same way it does for people who stay up all night! This happens because of the way our brains function, according to researchers from the University of Southern California.

How Multitasking Hurts Your Goals

The theory is that multitasking affects the part of your brain – your prefrontal cortex – that’s responsible for self-control. When you need to pay attention to something, your brain’s prefrontal cortex springs to action. It keeps your brain focused on a single goal while also working with other parts of your brain to help you finish the task. But when you try to multitask? It becomes less active!

This means it’s even HARDER to make good decisions when it comes to any of your goals! In fact, studies show people are more apt to zone out with their self-control when they are multi-tasking.

When you work on one task at a time, both sides of the prefrontal cortex work together in beautiful harmony. On the other hand, if you try to focus on two (or more!) tasks at a time, the left and right sides each do their own thing. 

You can see how this would make it hard for your brain to focus on the tasks at hand… and to stick to the healthy choices and changes you want to be making. So, what’s the solution?

Learn to Laser Focus

If you want to be more productive - and make healthier choices - work on focusing on one thing at a time. If this is difficult for you at first, try using a timer. Set a timer for 50-60 minutes and FOCUS ON ONE TASK. Then, take a mini 5-10 minute break, get up, move around, grab another glass of water or a healthy snack, and set the timer again for another period of focus.

​It’s a game-changer! Staying set on a task for a set period of time, then taking that break (no matter what), keeps you more focused and productive. This is a perfect example of how everything we do in life is connected. Healthy habits fuel a healthy lifestyle, which fuels an extraordinary life!

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