26 Jun How Effective is Multitasking?
For a long time, Multitasking has been prided in work to be a trait every worker should have, especially during busy seasons.
However, multitasking can have its downsides, particularly on people’s brain functions.
Drawbacks of Multitasking
Experts noted that multitasking can increase the chances of making a mistake or missing vital information and cues.
In addition, multitaskers are less likely to retain information in working memory, which could also affect creativity and problem-solving ability.
Kevin Paul Madore, a neuroscientist at Stanford University, conducted a study with colleagues. They found that multitasking can be associated with attention lapses and forgetfulness.
Researchers noted that more research is needed to find the correlation between multitasking and the inability to hold information in working memory and retrieve it from long-term memory.
Recent studies also found that it takes an average of 15 minutes to reorient your brain when you shift from one task to another, with efficiency dropping as low as 40%.
What To Do Instead?
- Try the 20-minute rule: focus on what task for 20 minutes before switching things up again.
- Set priorities: Do tasks in batches based on what is more urgent and what is more needed. You can also do similar tasks together, so your brain will not have difficulty changing gears.
- Create a distraction-free place: Turn off your phone notifications to maximize focus.
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SOURCE: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/multitasking-a-medical-and-mental-hazard-201201074063
https://hbr.org/2010/12/you-cant-multi-task-so-stop-tr
https://www.verywellmind.com/multitasking-2795003
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2870-z
https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/why-multitasking-does-more-harm-good