How to Stop Multitasking
Multitasking is a useful skill in some cases, but it’s a terrible habit that can wreak havoc on productivity. As psychological experts are beginning to understand, multitasking actually impedes our abilities in the long-term due to the fact that our brains cannot process more than one task at a time.
While multitasking might seem useful, it actually destroys our ability to focus. Once people start focusing on multiple tasks, they become less productive when they try to switch back and forth between different tasks. As a result, multitasking has actually been linked to several common problems like procrastination and anxiety.
According to entrepreneur Raphael Sternberg, multitasking is not a sustainable way of working, instead, professionals should try completing tasks one at a time and get it done well. He advises people to avoid multitasking, but in the case that they cannot help themselves he says that they should try to “design their work so that it demands the minimum possible shifting of attention.”
Raphael Sternberg also gives 5 tips to help professionals who are finding it hard to stop multitasking.
1. Learn to prioritize
According to Sternberg, the first step to becoming more productive is to learn how to prioritize, which means learning how to decide what must be done. He says that as professionals, it is important that they understand their own top priorities and set aside time for them every day. Professionals should spend their time on their top priorities and prevent any kind of distraction.
2. Eliminate distractions
Distractions are a big problem for today’s professionals, but they are very easy to fix. Sternberg says that it is important that professionals eliminate distractions, whether they use an app or employ some other method, to keep them focused on what they need to be doing and not distracted by social media or other websites.
3. Focus on task completion
Another tip to become more productive is to focus on completing their task. Sternberg says that professionals should not multitask because focusing on multiple things at a time makes them less productive. They should focus on completing the task of their choice at hand instead of thinking about other things.
4. Take a break when needed
Even though multitasking seems to be useful at first glance, it actually has a negative impact on the quality of work. Professionals should be encouraged to take a break in order to get out of the habit of multitasking and focus on one task at a time. Taking regular breaks is essential for productivity.
5. Timeboxing
Timeboxing is a great way to keep people focused on a specific task throughout the day. According to Raphael Sternberg, professionals should allocate a specific amount of time for each task. In this way, they can know exactly how much time they have left and whether or not they are still able to finish their work.
In conclusion, learning how to stop multitasking can help us focus and become more productive throughout our day, and it is easier than one might think.
