Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work (What to Do Instead)

Do you ever feel like no matter how busy you are, you don't actually get anything done?

That’s because you’re trying to do too much at once.

The fact is that multitasking doesn't work. Instead of making you more efficient, it's doing the opposite.

It's holding you back.

Ready to learn why multitasking doesn’t work and find new ways to be productive?

Let’s go!

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What is multitasking?
• Why multitasking doesn’t work
• How to be productive without multitasking

💡Key takeaways

• Multitasking doesn’t work – it costs you 40% of your time and increases your mistakes.
• Trying to multitask leads to higher stress, sleep problems, financial loss, memory issues, and mental health problems.
• The best ways to be productive without multitasking are the Sticky Focus Game, eliminating distractions, and working in time blocks.

What is multitasking?

Multitasking is when you try to do two or more tasks simultaneously, switch between them, or do them in quick succession.

And sure, it feels like you’re getting a lot done.

But multitasking can cost you as much as 40% of your time and cause you to make more mistakes.

So, why is it that multitasking doesn’t work? Keep reading to find out.

Why multitasking doesn’t work 

Is multitasking really possible? 

No. 

In fact, less than 3% of the population can do it effectively.

But we’ve tricked ourselves into believing that it’s a cornerstone of our workday. 

I know I felt this way when I worked on Wall Street.

The more I multitasked, the more I'd accomplish and the more successful I'd become.

So, I would answer emails, scan paperwork, drink coffee, talk on the phone, AND jot down notes simultaneously. 

I wasn’t the only one.

In fact, many job descriptions list the “ability to multitask” as a necessary skill. 

But we aren’t as good at multitasking as we think we are. 

We actually become less productive and efficient because our brains can’t keep up. 

What happens when we multitask

We might think we’re multitasking, but we’re not. 

We’re just doing things extremely quickly and switching between tasks.

That’s exhausting for our brains, which are wired to focus on one thing at a time – and it’s why multitasking doesn’t work.

Multitasking leads to distraction.

Your phone is a great example of how distracting multitasking is. 

Think about this:

• The average American checks their phone 150 times a day.
• You’re three times more likely to make mistakes in your work after a tech notification.

On average, employees get distracted every three minutes.

These distractions take over 20 minutes to recover from. 

So, if you’re trying to get five things done at the same time, stop!

None of them are getting the time or focus they need to be completed with quality.

Moreover, almost a quarter of what you could’ve gotten done today has to be pushed back.

Multitasking doesn’t work – it just leaves you with a mess.

The science of multitasking

Multitasking doesn't work because we don't have the brain power for it.

Instead, our brains try to overcompensate by working faster and harder on the project than necessary. 

This causes higher stress levels, less quality sleep, financial losses, memory problems, lower IQ, and depression and anxiety.

Trying to multitask as a form of hyper-productivity is like being intoxicated on the job. 

Your confidence levels rise, but your performance levels plummet. We just shouldn’t be doing it.

So, if multitasking doesn’t work, how can we be productive? 

Let’s find out. 

How to be productive without multitasking

In our fast-paced world, it might feel like multitasking is the only option.

But multitasking doesn’t work, so we have to find other ways to be productive.

Here are some of my favorite ways to do it.

1. Play the “Sticky Focus Game”

When I need to be productive working from home, I love to play the Sticky Focus Game.

Not only does it make work more fun, but it also makes me work faster and keeps me focused.

And all you need is a pack of sticky notes and a timer.

Here’s how to play.

1. Figure out how many 60-minute holes you have in your calendar for the day.
2. Write down each of your tasks on sticky notes. I recommend using blue stickies for shallow work and pink for deep work.
3. Stick them to your desk in order of importance.
4. Set a timer for 50 minutes and focus on one of those tasks until the timer goes off.
5. Take a 10-minute break. I like to reward myself by playing with my daughter during this time, but you can also check your phone, walk the dog, or scroll on social media.

Once the ten minutes have passed, repeat the process.

Hear more about it in this video:

2. Get rid of distractions 

Distractions are a key part of why multitasking doesn’t work.

So you have to get rid of them and their notifications.

First and foremost, silence your phone and put it face down! Better yet, remove it from your line of sight altogether.

Then, close any browser tabs you don't need for the task at hand.

These actions might seem simple, but they’ll make a world of difference.

I like to play a game with myself to see how many push notifications I can eliminate on my phone and laptop.

Start with the obvious ones – emails, phone calls, and text messages. 

Keep an eye out for any that you might've missed. When they pop up, go into your settings and turn off notifications (at least for now).

But another huge distraction to consider is the people around you!

I always get tapped on the shoulder during deep work in coworking spaces.

And it’s so frustrating!

That’s why you have to figure out how to stop your coworkers from distracting you.

Here are a few ways to do it:

• Leave your desk and work behind a closed door.
• Wear headphones. The bigger, the better!
• Limit your interactions to a specific amount of time – for instance, “I've only got three minutes right now. Is that enough time?”

We’ll give you a few more hacks in this video:

3. Work in focused work blocks 

Recent studies have found that multitasking doesn’t work – but working in focused blocks of time does.

In fact, it leads to 11% more engagement in a task.

Beyond that, they also help with task prioritization, work-life balance, and mental health.

So start by seeing how long you can focus without getting distracted.  

You might not last more than ten minutes when you start, and that’s okay!

Focus is like a muscle – the more you work it, the stronger it gets.  

4. Close your open loops 

Sometimes, we multitask because our brain suddenly remembers something important we forgot to do, and we jump to that task like a squirrel remembering where it hid its last nut.   

These are called “open loops.” 

Open loops are those random thoughts that come to mind right as we fall asleep.

Think things like, “It's Mom's birthday tomorrow! I've got to call her.”

Or, “Shoot, I need to tell my husband to pick up that prescription.”

But don’t just drop everything and try to frantically complete these tasks in the moment. 

Instead, write those tasks down to come back to later. 

This will help you stay focused on the task at hand.

5. Train your focus muscle 

Remember what I said about how focus is a muscle?

It is – but it’s not our strongest.

In fact, our brain’s default mode is Do Mostly Nothing. 

So, just like a physical muscle, you have to work to strengthen it.

Here are a few exercises for your focus muscle:

• Concentration meditation, which involves focusing on an object, phrase, or even your breath for a set amount of time. 
• Logic-based games and puzzles, such as Sudoku or crosswords, which boost focus, concentration, and memory.
• Make notes of any distractions as they pop up to help you physically set them aside until you can get to them later.

But the one you can start right now? Putting your phone down.

Instead of mindlessly scrolling while you're on the bus or waiting for a coffee, take in your surroundings or thoughtfully reflect on your day. 

6. Allocate your energy

Being productive isn't about allocating your time.

It’s about allocating and managing your energy.

Managing your energy boosts your productivity, eliminates distractions, and avoids burnout.

Start by noting your energy throughout the day. When is it high, and when is it low?

Then, use those cycles to your advantage by aligning tasks with them.

Let's say you're most energized in the morning but start to slump around 1:30 p.m.

In that situation, you’d complete the more important tasks in the morning and save the less demanding ones (like administrative tasks) for the afternoon.

7. Focus on your most important tasks 

There are two big mistakes I always see people make before they learn that multitasking doesn’t work. 

First, they try to get everything done. That’s impossible!

And second, they complete the smaller tasks before the big ones.

Trying to knock out smaller tasks is just a form of procrastination. 

Why?

Because you’ll never be done with the smaller tasks, and you’ll run out of time for your bigger ones every time.

That’s why I teach clients how to leverage their tasks.

When you leverage your tasks, you complete the one task that will make the rest of the week easier first. 

Once it’s done, then you can move on to smaller tasks.

You can learn more about leverage in this video:

Here's another pro tip for getting the essential tasks done: Write an effective to-do list.

This is where the 1:4:5 rule comes in.

Keep your to-do list limited to ten tasks: one super-important task, four mid-level tasks, and five low-priority tasks. 

📚Read more: 12 Ways to Write Incredibly Effective To-Do Lists (+Template)

Next steps 

There you have it!

A clear explanation of why multitasking doesn't work and new ways to be productive without it.

Here’s a secret about being productive.

It all starts with great planning.

That’s why we created our Winning the Week Method.

With our proven system, you can boost your productivity, conquer your overwhelm, and finish all your tasks in just one week.

Get it for FREE in this worksheet:

Read more:

The Best Productivity Courses & Certifications 

Why You Need Unscheduled Time Blocks (+ How to Implement Them)

How Productivity Transforms Your Life and Health