Multitasking is a Myth: It Has More Negative Effects Than Just Less Getting Done

“Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there.”- Steve Jobs

There are numerous studies, reports, and articles that demonstrate that the idea that multitasking is a myth. You likely have experienced some indicators yourself (I know I have) and not realized what was happening. Ever try to work on email or a text message while listening to a conference call? (Of course you have, we all have.) Now, try to remember what was being said while you were working on writing the message. I sometimes find that I’ll get involved in a message and then recognize that I just missed several minutes of conversation during the call. Our brains cannot do multiple complex tasks at the same time. Period.

When we try to multitask, we are making our brains work extra hard by switching back and forth extremely fast to give the appearance of doing multiple things at once. On the one side, we think we are being ‘extra productive,’ and on the other we are taxing our mind beyond what it is capable of. Somehow we continue to convince ourselves, often without knowing it, to continue trying this activity. I find myself doing it frequently, whether during meetings, one-on-one conversations, or when writing or researching articles. When I catch myself, it is apparent that I have either missed information, or taken much longer than I thought it did to complete what I was working on. It can be embarrassing to have to go back to another person and say, “I am sorry, I completely missed what you were saying.” Yet, the allure of multitasking is real, and we find ourselves pulled back to trying to do multiple complex things at the same time.

What feels like doing multiple tasks at a time is actually our brain frantically switching back and forth.

The negative impact from these attempts can go beyond just the efficiency and effectiveness of your work and listening. Multitasking is linked to several other consequences as well.

Negative side effects of multitasking

Let’s take a look at some common things that are the downsides of continually asking our brains to multitask. Some may even be surprising.

Impacts your short-term memory

This is usually easy to identify. You realize fairly quickly that you missed a portion of the conversation or topic of discussion when you wrap up (after trying to do multiple things). It may not happen right away, but test yourself today. While on a call or conversation, start doing something else (send a couple of texts, try reading an article — not this one of course), or start people watching (if you’re in a store location). Then after about two hours have passed, try to write down what you were supposed to be engaged with during that time. You’ll likely be shocked at how little you can recall.

Leads to increased anxiety

We do not need more things in our lives right now that can cause anxiety. This can be a subtle feeling, but I also find this to be a very accurate outcome. You suddenly realize you weren’t giving your full attention. You wonder what you’ve missed. And your brain is just tired and concerned about the strain it has undergone. All effects of multitasking.

Inhibits creative thinking

Fresh mind, fresh ideas. When you continue to push your brain to its limits, it will not have enough energy to think of new innovative ideas. It is working so hard just to keep up at the moment it cannot do the extra work required for creativity. The idea of ‘busyness’ is a symptom of this. We feel so busy that we must multitask, and that leads to less time to even think about how we might manage the time differently.

Stops you from getting into a state of flow

Since your brain is switching back and forth, it cannot get into a rhythm of working on one thing. There is a lot written on the state of ‘flow’, but you have likely been there before. It is when you feel super productive. You are concentrating on one thing and making a lot of progress quickly. It feels easy, and the time flies by, but when you’re done, you’re amazed at not only how much you accomplished, but how good the work was. Multitasking prevents that from happening.

Causes more mistakes and less productivity

We think multitasking is helping us to accomplish more, yet it is really the opposite. Even if we do produce “more”, the quality of that work will be compromised due to the distractions of trying to do multiple things at once. Often it is simple things that we allow to go unnoticed, or the fix is relatively inconsequential, so we ignore it, but it does happen. Imagine how much time you could get back if you didn’t have to correct more spelling errors, forgotten information that needs to be added later, or forgot a step in a process that requires you to redo the entire thing.

We have all encountered distractions that slow our work. Think about times when you are working on something on your selling floor, or at the counter, and you pause to serve a customer. When you come back to what you were working on, it takes time to reset to where you were and remember what is the next step you need to take. Think about trying to reset a planogram on a busy sales day (I don’t recommend that, by the way). We’ve likely all been there at some point in our career. We get distracted and pulled away from the task at hand, which now takes longer to complete, or more mistakes occur. Now imagine that same thing happening to your brain throughout the entire day of trying to do multiple things at once. You would be worn out and frustrated also.

I find this subject of multitasking fascinating. I will be revisiting this topic again and diving in deeper to other elements of the multitasking myth. In the meantime, try practicing single tasking, being more conscious of when you’re asking your brain to multitask, and recognize the benefits and good things that happen when you avoid it.

How will you track your multitasking habits? More importantly, what will you do to avoid it?

Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills. JOIN NOW!