Why Multitasking Isn't A Strength…It's A Weakness
I was always told that multitasking is a good thing but I have found out that it’s not. Multitasking isn’t a strength…it’s a weakness.
Here’s why….
Reasons why multitasking isn’t a strength…it’s a weakness.
1. Multitasking Doesn’t Save Time. It actually slows you down.
Contrary to popular belief, multitasking doesn’t save time. In fact, it will probably take you longer to finish two projects when you’re jumping back and forth than it would to finish each one separately.
According to research summarized by the American Psychological Association, shifting between tasks can cost you up to 40 percent of productive time.
You may feel like you’re getting more done, but you probably aren’t. You’re just getting it done in a different way — and probably not the best one.
2. Causes More Mistakes.
Multitasking can also cause you to make more mistakes in whatever you’re working on. Especially if one or more of your activities involves a lot of critical thinking.
Switching back and forth between tasks can also cause a tremendous loss in productivity.
If you’re prone to multitasking, this is not a habit you’ll want to keep doing. It clearly slows you down and decreases the quality of your work.
Even if it doesn’t cause brain damage, (let’s hope not) allowing yourself to multitask will only add to any existing difficulties you have with focus, organization, and attention to detail.
3. Can Create More Stress.
Not only does it create more stress physically by increasing your heart rate, but it also creates inefficiency. When you aren’t efficient in what you are doing you are putting yourself in more stress.
Multitasking is a sort of frequent interruption on your work which starts building stress that would ultimately start showing on your physical as well as your mental health.
Bottom line is, rather than being a good multitasker, I think it would be far more beneficial to be good at prioritizing and staying focused on one thing at a time.
“Top performers stick with focus rather than multitasking”
~ Maxwell Maltz~
Meditation and mindfulness teach us that being focused and present on the task at hand is the key to being more productive.
Leave your comments below as to why you think multitasking is a strength or weakness.
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Thanks for sharing this valuable information.
I remember reading the same thing in a wonderful book namely ‘One thing’ which emphasizes on concentrating on single task at a time. it increases your productivity, and helps you become a high performer as your attention is not diverted and you are able to give it your best short in whatever task you undertake.
You’re very welcome Usman! Glad you enjoyed the post. I have not read the book “One Thing” but will definitely check it out. To me, concentrating on a single task is very important. Not matter how hard we try sometimes we will lose our attention on the product but as long as we are focusing we will be more productive. Thanks for your inspiring comments.
Some very good points being shared there Sherry. How can you possibly concentrate on more than one thing at a time and do it properly?. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Keith. I agree…we spread ourselves and our focus to thin when we try to do it all at the same time. Thanks for commenting.
this is great stuff. thanks sherry
You’re welcome Sheena and thanks for commenting.
Thanks Sherry, I always multitask when I can but when I need to stay focus I only focus on what I am doing. This way I don’t get distracted or make errors 🙂
You’re welcome Maria. Glad you can multitask. Not many of us can and do it without errors, etc. Thanks for commenting.
Sherry, I agree multitasking is a weakness for same reasons you mentioned above. I’ve began to adopt a more task focus approach versus jumping around in work. Thanks for this sound advice. Netty.
You’re welcome Netty. Glad you enjoyed the post. Until recently I thought that multitasking was a good thing. I didn’t realize the issues it could create. I am also working harder on the focused approach rather than jumping around and I have found it a lot more beneficial. Thanks for commenting.
Great post Sherry! I use to think we had to ‘do it all’ and now I agree, multitasking really is sucking up time and can cause not only overwhelm but burn out as well. Now I know since going through training programs that being focused is key. appreciate you sharing your tips and strategies on this topic!
Thanks Lynn. I used to think that we had to “do it all” too. I guess it was just part of the way I was trained…or maybe it was lack of correct training. 🙂 I agree with you, it does cause one to become overwhelmed and have burnout. That’s the reason so many give up so easily. Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your insights.
Sherry great post.Just goes to show that many of the old sayings ring true – “Jack of all trades and master of none.” Focus is key!
Thanks Earl. You summed it up nicely “jack of all trades and master of none.” Thanks for commenting
It’s funny (or not), one of my first blogs was called joatmon14, jack of all trades……I never saw what a disadvantage that really was until recently. Focus is definitely the key, even if you have to focus on staying focused for a while. Thanks Sherry!!
You’re welcome Mark. I always thought that multitasking was a good thing. At a regular J.O.B., it seems that that’s what they want in an employee. At least that’s what I was told. Focusing on one thing at a time is the key.
That’s funny about your blog…joatmon14. Now we both know better. Thanks for commenting Mark!