Multitasking ≠ Productivity

Multitasking is a priceless skill, which is essential to managing our typically demanding lifestyles. Right? Surprisingly the answer is an emphatic – NO.  Well it was surprising to me, at least, because for years I valued what seemed to be my exceptional ability to multitask.  In fact, I prided myself on being the reigning queen of multitasking (self-proclaimed of course :-).  While it’s true that multitasking may actually save us time in certain situations, generally speaking, multitasking does not equate to productivity.  More importantly, the potential negative effects of this behavior (if done chronically), are actually pretty significant.  For those of us prone to anxiety or depression, the ramifications of chronic multitasking can be even more detrimental.

Multitasking is when we engage in two or more activities that require our attention, or when we frequently switch between two or more such tasks. Essentially, multitasking is splitting (and in some cases splintering) our attention across multiple points of focus; often in an attempt to be more productive.  Some common scenarios of what multitasking looks like in our daily lives include: doing homework while talking on the phone, driving while texting/dialing, switching back and forth between unrelated open windows on our computers, or having a conversation while checking messages on our phones and replying. 

I recently began to question the value of multitasking when I realized that it had become increasingly uncomfortable for me to do just one thing at a time. For example, when trying relax and watch a video, I often felt the need to simultaneously play a game on my phone. I also noticed the frequent impulse to move from one task to the next, instead of focusing on one task until it was completed (i.e. switching back and forth between paying bills online, to working on a report for work). Interestingly, the sense of uneasiness that I experienced when I wasn’t multitasking, felt a bit like anxiety. 

Out of curiosity, I began researching the long-term of effects of chronic multitasking. What I found was numerous studies documenting the adverse effects of multitasking on performance, memory, and the various ways brain function is affected. Chronic multitasking actually changes how the brain works, and can even rewire the brain.  Over time, the brain is trained to give brief fragmented focus to everything, making it difficult to give anything our undivided attention. Subsequently, the brain begins to function less efficiently. It takes longer to process information and more time to complete the tasks at hand; the more complex the tasks, the less efficient the brain functions. This manifests in our daily lives as: increased errors, being more easily distracted, decreased short-term memory, increased stress, less overall efficiency, and mood disturbances. These consequences can have potential implications in our professional, personal, as well as  our spiritual lives. The negative impact can be even more substantial for people with depression and anxiety, since mood disturbances, decreased memory, efficiency and productivity are already common struggles. 

Unless done in high risk settings, occasional multitasking is probably no cause for concern.  The potential adverse effects are associated with multitasking as a routine lifestyle practice.  As Muslims, our goal is to model our lives after the excellent example of the Holy Prophet (saw), and chronic multitasking was not his sunnah. When we look at his life, we find that the Prophet (saw) was attentive and focused in all of his affairs.  Although he was incredibly busy with many obligations, the Prophet (saw) still gave individual persons and projects his undivided attention. He was focused in all aspects of worship, made those around him feel special and significant, and was purposeful and deliberate in whatever task he undertook. Subsequently, his life example is one of remarkable success– from his interpersonal relationships, to his ultimate achievement of transforming the world.

While most of us have a few extra servings on our plates, none of us our charged with level of responsibility that the beloved Prophet (saw) had. By practicing his example in our daily interactions and tasks, we can learn to give individual people and activities our undivided attention.  In doing so, we not only retrain our brains to function more reliably, we also improve our general well-being, the quality of our worship, and our relationships with those around us.

If you’re interested in discovering how a reduction in multitasking could benefit you, consider incorporating some of the tips and suggestions listed below.  

Tips & Suggestions

• Meditation has many benefits,  and one of them is counteracting the negative effects of chronic multitasking.  After meditating consistently for just  over a month, I personally experienced significant improvement in my short-term memory, an increase in focus, an increase in my overall productivity, and a decrease in the “scattered” feeling that occasionally characterized my mental state. I was better able to focus on one thing at a time, with a reduction in the compulsive need to switch from task to task.

*Even if you meditate just  5 minutes (twice a day) to start, the benefits will soon be noticeable.  Increase your  practice to 20 minutes twice a day, and you’re likely to yield remarkable results in a modest amount of time.  

• Complete the task at hand. Avoid switching from tasks to task, and don’t allow unnecessary interruptions (i.e. don’t stop writing the grocery list to see who is calling).   Wait until you are done with your list, and then check to see if the missed call even warrants a return call.

• Set a timer.  If working on one task for an extended period of time seems too much for you, try setting a reasonable time period (i.e. 20-40 minutes) during which you decide you will entertain no distractions.

• Turn off the notifications or silence them.  One of the biggest distractions for many of us is our various computers; especially our smart phones. Through a series of beeps, dings, and whistles, we are continuously notified about activity in our numerous accounts (email, text, FB, twitter, etc). Silencing or temporarily turning off some, if not all, of the notifications will do wonders for your ability to focus.

• Minimize interruptions.  Decide to only check your devices at certain intervals (i.e. every 45 minutes).

• Monotask. Try doing one thing at a time. Start with the big things like just driving (no texting, telephoning, CD changing, etc).  Then try incorporating things like engaging in a meaningful conversation without cooking or doing bills, etc.

Additional Reading

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