Everyday hell: life and work in multitasking mode

Повседневный ад: жизнь и работа в режиме многозадачности

You remain convinced that the key to success — ability to multitask? It's time to dispel this illusion. Oxford scientists studied the reactions of the brain and proved that multitasking only harms. Trying to do several things at the same time, we exhaust ourselves. The ability to & nbsp; concentration of attention suffers, fatigue increases & nbsp; and, most unpleasantly, the brain is destroyed. The editors of estet-portal.com have collected interesting information about the dangers of multitasking and features of monotasking (single-tasking).

Demystifying multitasking
4 reasons not doing multiple things at once
Tips for monotasking — simple and efficient single-tasking
Multi-tasking and focusing on the basic

Dispelling myths about working in multitasking mode

If you look around, it will seem that we live in the world of supermen. People are simultaneously watching movies, talking on the phone, checking email, and out of the corner of their eye having time to look into social media feeds. Several tasks are performed per unit of time. But this is an illusion. Doing several things at the same time, we lose concentration, so we do nothing really well.

In trying to embrace the unfathomable, we acquire bad habits that negatively affect work productivity. We ourselves provoke increased anxiety, stress and neurosis. The problem is that the human brain is not initially adapted to work in multitasking mode. Scientists have proven this experimentally.

Until recently, it was believed that young people who grow up in multitasking conditions perceive information better. This is due to the fact that children learn, communicate and do things without taking out their headphones and simultaneously hanging in social networks. It's not so simple. Scientists examined the abilities of two age groups — 18-21 years and 35-39 years.

It turned out that if there is only one task, then young people really cope with 10% faster than mature people. But this advantage is lost as soon as the subjects work in multitasking mode. Moreover, the decrease in the speed of doing things falls regardless of the complexity of the tasks. It turns out that there is only one way to do the job quickly and qualitatively — without distracting on anything else.

4 reasons for not multi-tasking

Simultaneous execution of tasks — it is a myth. In fact, the brain has to constantly switch from one thing to another. As long as a person is alert and active, this is quite easy. But with every time you have to make more and more efforts not to lose concentration. The fee is too high.

1. Significant drop in work speed

Switching attention has a catastrophic effect on the performance of tasks. Research has shown that office workers spend up to 28% of their time re-focusing. This means that one phone call, message, or even pressing an extra button is enough to increase the duration of a task by a third.

It turns out that the work will go much faster if you correctly plan the time and do things one by one. At the same time, the quality will remain on top.

2. Decreased brain activity — blow to creativity

If we are talking about analysts and people of creative professions, then they categorically cannot work in multitasking mode. This reduces brain activity in general. In addition, thoughts and ideas that arise are instantly forgotten as soon as a person switches attention. Creativity falls, a creative crisis arises, and everything ends with a powerful blow to self-esteem.

3. The quality of work and simple pleasures are at stake

The speed reduction of different jobs running at the same time is obvious. But so does it matter when it comes to simple household activities? Turns out it's important too. If you read, chew a sandwich, and drink tea at the same time, you will not get pleasure from a book, nor from food, nor from drink. Only a feeling of dissatisfaction remains. By doing several things at the same time, you do not really do anything and deprive yourself of the simple joys of life.

4. Chronic fatigue, stress and neurotic disorders

When you're worried about multiplying doing things, your overall level of anxiety increases. So you yourself accustom yourself to & nbsp; excessive nervousness. Tasks started but not closed — powerful stressor. The body reacts with a decline in activity. More backlogs pile up, anxiety rises, and productivity drops. It's a vicious cycle of multitasking.

Tips for monotasking — simple and efficient single-tasking

If you want to stay healthy, active and sane, stop thinking you're a superman. Your brain can only focus on one task at a time, so learn how to plan properly:

Write it down. Plan in writing. Once a task is on paper, you don don't think about it.
Prioritize. Do things in order of urgency and importance.
Take into account the time. Allocate exactly enough time for each item of the plan, as needed for its implementation.
Relax. Plan not only things, but and breaks in between.
Check your mail according to schedule. This also applies to social media feeds, phone messages.

If possible, turn off your phone and all audio alerts while working. Remember, each call increases the duration of the task by a third. It will take you at least 15 minutes to regain your concentration. Better complete the task, and check your phone, email, and reply to important messages.

The main thing about multitasking mode and concentration on cases

Don't believe the myths about multitasking. Not only does it not increase productivity, but it and destroys health. Try to follow these rules:

Plan. Develop clear schedules and plans for yourself. This will help you feel more confident.
One task at a time. It's impossible to stop multitasking completely, however try to keep the number of tasks to a minimum.
Concentrate. By focusing on the job, you do it quickly and quality.
Relax. After a period of concentration, you need to relax. Add breaks to schedule.

Your top priority — you you and not work. Don't let multitasking damage your health and nervous system.

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