Multitasking Doesn't Exist

Notes

Claim

Multitasking doesn't exist because at any single moment, we can only Focus is concentrated cognitive effort that maximizes performance on a single task on a single thing. So at best, multitasking is a quickly switching between tasks, and the dream of actually doing things simultaneously is unfortunately a myth. The only exception is in cases where one of those actions don't require focus at all, for example I can walk and talk at the same time, or wash dishes and listen to a podcast.

Explanation

Our Executive Attention Network is best utilized when we have only a single thing in our attention span, because uncompleted task still take space in our mind, limiting the available resources for focusing on the task at hand Unfinished tasks linger in the mind and reduce focus.

Why it matters

Multitasking is also a main cause for Burnout is chronic exhaustion from overwhelming demands, by trying to overload ourselves with tasks, while falsely thinking that "I can do it all" causes to experience high levels of Stress can be adaptive or harmful depending on perception and context when we eventually fail to manage these tasks effectively.

The key is less is more, by realizing that we can't be everywhere all at once, that our time and energy are scarce resources, we realize that we should be Saying no protects time and energy for what matters most more often.

Examples

Supporters

Task batching takes this cost seriously enough to build a whole practice around avoiding it — group similar tasks together so you're not paying it over and over.

Opposers

Deep work takes the opposite stance — that staying with one task, uninterrupted, is what actually produces the best results, not splitting attention across several.

Open questions

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