A Case Against Multitasking: Why Doing One Thing at a Time Will Help You Live More Intentionally

I have this memory from before we transitioned into simple living.

Goes like this.

I’m standing at the kitchen counter, feeding our one month old daughter, securely cradled in my left arm, while mixing cookie ingredients and answering an occasional “urgent” text message with my right. All the while I’m fielding a string of questions from our four year old, perched happily at the kitchen table.

At the time, I felt like this was a “super mom” moment. I could do it all—at once. 

Looking back now, all I can wonder is “what was I thinking?” Not in a self-judging way, but in an “if-I-only-would-have-known” way.

Because what I’ve learned over the past few years of simple, more intentional living is this:

Multitasking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Actually, I’d argue it is more detrimental that it is helpful.

The term “multitask” first entered our language in 1965 in the computer world. Computers could multitask—they had the capability to process several tasks at once.

Now, in a culture driven to do more faster, this term has been applied to humans. And we’ve been led to believe that when we do two, three, or even four things at once, we’re more productive.

Problem is, we’re not computers. The human brain can handle only two complex tasks at once (because our brains have a right and left lobe). Even when we do tackle two tasks at once, we don’t focus on both simultaneously, but actually just switch from one task to another very rapidly. 

Turns out, there’s a cognitive cost in multitasking, which affects everything from our ability to be present to our efficiency.

Author Walter Bruggemann said, “Multitasking is the drive to be more than we are, to control more than we do, to extend our power and our effectiveness. Such a practice yields a divided self, with full attention given to nothing.”

The idea of a “divided self” may be enough to make a case against multitasking, but here’s more.

Here are 7 reasons to avoid multitasking: 

  1. Reduced ability to be fully present

Multitasking numbs our ability to fully experience life moment by moment. We can not be fully present to those around us if our attention is divided. When everything is “important” and we try to do it all at once, we miss opportunities to really focus on the things (or people) that matter most.

2. Less efficient 

Contrary to popular belief, doing more than one thing at a time actually takes longer than completing one task and then starting the next. Multiple studies have shown that multitasking doesn’t help productivity. A 2001 study out of the University of Michigan found that participants lost significant amounts of time as they switched between multiple tasks and lost even more time as the tasks became increasingly complex.

3. Brain drain 

When the brain shifts attention from one activity to another, it burns up oxygenated glucose. The kind of rapid, continued shifting we do with multitasking causes the brain to burn through fuel so quickly that we can soon feel exhausted and disoriented. We literally deplete the nutrients in our brain when we multitask. This can lead to more errors in our work and even impulsive behaviors.

4. Raised cortisol 

Multitasking creates a stress response within us and puts us at risk for losing our peace. Daniel Levitin, in his book The Organized Mind writes, “Multitasking has been found to increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol as well as the fight-or-flight hormone adrenaline, which can overstimulate your brain and cause mental fog or scrambled thinking.” 

5. Decision fatigue 

Shifting between (or among) tasks requires decision making. Should I respond to that new email now or later? Should I help my daughter with her math while I’m following this new recipe? Should I answer that call even though I just started laundry—I may forget to add the soap again—and am in the middle of packing these lunches? When we’ve already committed to single-tasking, we don’t have to decide if we should also do something else. The more decisions we make, the more difficult it is to make more decisions as the day goes on.

6. Reduced willpower

When your brain is fatigued from frequent task switching and decision making your willpower is reduced. You’re more likely to give into things you normally wouldn’t (partaking in online sales or another handful of M&M’s). And more apt to leave clutter around your home as you delay decisions.

7. Difficulty focusing

The more frequently you multitask and divide your attention, the more this becomes your “norm.” Focusing on one thing for an extended period of time becomes more difficult when you don’t do it often. 

So if multitasking is something to be reduced—and avoided at best—then how do we begin to single-task?

Here are 5 ways to begin single-tasking:

  1. Increase Awareness

Begin observing how often you multitask. It’s probably more often that you realize. When you catch yourself multitasking, repeat a cue word or phrase in your mind to remind yourself to single-task (ex. “One thing at a time.”). Then stop, and practice doing one thing and then the other.

2. Silence phone alerts 

We all know phones can serve as a distraction. For many, just seeing our phone triggers a need to shift between our current activity and checking it. If possible, keep your phone in a place you don’t see it often, but can still hear it if it rings. Turn off text message and social media notifications so a constant “ding” doesn’t derail your focus. 

3. Take brain breaks

If possible, start building brain breaks into your day. A 20 minute power nap does wonders to recharge your brain. Even companies like Google have employees take nap breaks during the work day and report increased productivity and focus because of it. If you can’t nap, try taking a walk or spending some time in nature. These breaks will reset your mind and increase your ability to single-task.

4. Practice 

Designate times during the day to practice single-tasking. Set an alarm on your phone and then commit to doing one thing at a time for the next 10 minutes. Each day you can increase the time you spend practicing by a couple minutes. Soon, you’ll notice yourself single-tasking more, as you’ve become more mindful of it and more able to do it.

5. Identify the essential 

Reduce multitasking by spending time identifying what is most important. When everything seems important and urgent, we think that everything needs to be done at the same time. Try looking at the big picture and ask yourself “Do I really need to be doing this right now?” If yes, then put you full focus on it. 

Multitasking is difficult to avoid completely, but with increased awareness and practice it can definitely be reduced. 

Author John Mark Comer said, “I want to be fully present in the moment: to God, other people, work in the world, and my own soul. That’s more than enough to consume my attention.”

Let’s ask ourselves if multitasking is actually helping us in different areas of our life. What would happen if we focused our attention on one thing at a time instead? 

I’m guessing we’d be more present, engage in our lives more deeply, and more fully realize what’s most important. 

I’d say it’s time to give single-tasking a try.

***

Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City apartment home with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, and newborn son. You can also find her on Instagram.