Something that never fails to irritate me is reading job descriptions that say the candidate must be good at multitasking. Must. No wonder people are stressed out all the time! They’re expected to juggle ten different tasks at once, making equal progress on all of them in a timely manner. But here’s the thing: multitasking is an illusion. It’s literally impossible to do effectively.
Let’s be real. How can I—or anyone—do a good job when I’m dividing my attention between ten different things? That means each task is only getting 10% of my focus. Why not plan better and give 100% of your attention to one task at a time?
I know what some of you are thinking: But Kev, I’ll get behind if I don’t multitask! Trust me—you’re already behind if you’re trying to multitask. As a developer, I’ve seen this firsthand. When I juggle multiple projects, I get confused, make mistakes, and slow down because I’m constantly switching gears. The better approach is to focus—really laser-focus—on one project or task at a time. When you give your full attention to one thing, you’ll finish faster and with fewer mistakes. Plus, you’ll feel less stressed because you’re getting things off your list for good.
So stop creating unnecessary stress for yourself. Focus on one thing at a time, and you’ll see the difference.
Key Takeaway #1
“Multitasking is a myth – or at least, an ineffective way of working.
Key Takeaway #2
“Constantly switching between tasks forces your brain into mental gymnastics, slowing you down and increasing errors.”
Key Takeaway #3
“Focusing on one thing at a time will make you more productive and less stressed. You’ll finish tasks faster and feel a sense of accomplishment.”
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