Member-only story

Let’s Stop Pretending Multitasking is a Superpower

The hidden hazards

George J. Ziogas
4 min readMar 8, 2023
Photo: marcinmaslowski / Adobe Stock

Multitasking is a common practice, but it’s not always the best way to get things done. You’ve probably been there. You’re working on one task, then your phone buzzes with an email alert or your boss asks you for something else that needs to be done right away. The next thing you know, your focus has shifted away from what you were working on and onto completing this new task — and before long, another interruption occurs.

In today’s world of instant gratification, it’s all about doing more at once. But what if you discovered multitasking was bad for your productivity and mental health? Well, it’s true. In this article, you’ll discover the hidden dangers of multitasking — and how to avoid them for a more efficient and productive lifestyle.

Multitasking Reduces Productivity

Research shows that people who multitask regularly are less productive and creative than those who focus on one task at a time. In addition to negatively affecting work performance, multitasking also creates stress and anxiety because you constantly shift between different activities and contexts — a phenomenon known as “context switching.”

Multitasking also takes more time. Research indicates that when you switch between tasks, each…

--

--

George J. Ziogas
George J. Ziogas

Written by George J. Ziogas

Editor | Vocational Education Teacher | HR Consultant | Manners will take you where money won't | ziogasjgeorge@gmail.com

Responses (29)