Why you shouldn't multitask at work

Have you ever found yourself writing a work report while eating lunch? Or perhaps you’ve responded to an email in the middle of a work meeting? If so, you’re not alone.

There is a lot going on in most workplaces, and expectations can be high. For many people, completing multiple tasks at the same time or multitasking is seen as the solution.

However, experts say that it is not actually possible to focus on multiple tasks at once, and it can actually have the opposite effect as intended.

So, what are the dangers of multitasking, and what can you do to avoid it?

The risks of multitasking

Multitasking can have several unintended consequences. These include:

· Inefficiency and loss of productivity: Switching between tasks requires time and mental energy. Therefore, while multitasking may aim to increase efficiency and productivity, it can actually have the opposite effect.
· Potential mistakes: Experts say to perform a task well, you need to have all your attention devoted to it. Performing multiple tasks at once can reduce your focus and attention to detail, increasing the likelihood that you will make mistakes.
· Lack of creativity: Multitasking can deplete your energy levels and, therefore, make you less willing to consider new ideas.
· Memory issues: Most of us cannot remember more than a handful of important information at a time Therefore, when multitasking, it’s easier to miss important details.
· Increased stress: Do you want to reduce stress and anxiety at work? Constantly dividing your attention between tasks can increase stress and anxiety. Therefore by focusing on tasks indvidually, you can reduce your risk of burnout.
· Distractability: Regularly multitasking can reduce your attention span. This can reduce your focus and make you easily distracted even by minor disruptions

How to avoid multitasking

According to experts, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce multitasking. These include:

· Taking time to notice your surroundings: While eating lunch, instead of trying to perform work-related tasks, take time to notice what is going on around you. Practicing being mindful can help you be more present and reduce stress
· Completing tasks in one go: Multitasking often occurs because people work on one task for a bit before starting another one and then coming back to the first task. Instead, you should try to fully complete a task after you start it before moving on to the next one
· Planning ahead: If you know you have to do something at a certain time, try to get your other tasks completed before then.
· Blocking out time: Block out time to do things like responding to emails rather than responding to them throughout the day while performing other tasks.
· Use the do not disturb setting on your emails: Set up the Do Not Disturb function on your emails. This helps ensure you are not interrupted when performing important work tasks.
· Ask for clarity: If your boss is expecting a lot of you, ask them which tasks they consider most important or time-sensitive. This will help you to prioritise which tasks need to be completed now and which ones can wait.
· Negotiate deadlines: If you feel under pressure, consider asking if you can have more time to complete particular tasks.

In short, multitasking is not the time-saving technique many believe it to be. To increase productivity and efficiency at work, it’s best to focus on one task at a time.

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