Stop Multitasking!
Take this two-minute test and you’ll see why.
So you think you’re good at multitasking? You can talk on the phone, write an email and schedule a dentist appointment online all at once, can you?
Stop it.
Many people like to boast about their multitasking skills, which is odd since it is more efficient and produces better quality to focus on one thing at a time.
Don’t believe it? Try this exercise.
Equipment you’ll need:
– pen or pencil
– piece of paper
– a timer or stopwatch
– your brain
Step 1:
Set a timer and write the letters of the alphabet, in order, as fast as you can. Then write the numbers 1-26 in order as fast as you can. Stop the timer and take note of how long it took you.
Step 2:
Set a timer and write the letters of the alphabet and numbers 1-26 again, this time using a different pattern. Write the letter A, and underneath it write the number 1. Next, write the letter B, and underneath it write the number 2. Continue this pattern with all the numbers and letters until you get to Z and 26. Stop the timer and take note of how long it took you.
How’d you do? Step 1 went way faster didn’t it? Of course. The brain can’t efficiently switch between tasks, so multitasking actually costs you time—time for your brain to recognize new things and time to fix the mistakes you made because you were distracted.
Now, just one final step…
Step 3:
Stop multitasking.