Better Ways to Multitask
Readtime: 3 minutes
Can we actually get better at multitasking?
We all strive to be productive, to accomplish more within the limited hours of our workday.
This ambition sometimes leads us to believe we can manage multiple tasks at once.
But the brain is not equipped to process more than one demanding task at the same time.
For instance:
Can we actively participate in a meeting while writing a report?
What about reading a technical document while also listening to a colleague's presentation?
Can we brainstorm innovative ideas while scheduling meetings or sorting emails?
In most instances we can’t.
I can’t even listen to a podcast and do grocery shopping at the same time!
Attempting to juggle such tasks reduces performance and increases errors.
So how can we work smarter, not harder?
In this article I’ll breakdown multitasking and task switching, and identify two easy ways to multitask.
This article is Part 1 of 2 on this topic. In the next article, I go into some techniques that you can use to actually enhance your ability to task switch.
My goal is to equip you with powerful insights, practical tools and specific actions, so that you can increase your impact, income and free-time.
Let's dive in.
1. Multitasking: The Great Illusion
Multitasking has become to be seen as a valuable skill in fast-paced, professional environments.
However, the notion that our brains can handle multiple tasks simultaneously is largely wrong.
Cognitive science tells us that our brains are not wired to handle more than one complex task at a time. Instead, what we perceive as multitasking is actually task switching, where our brains are shuttling back and forth between tasks.
Recognising this distinction enables us to align our work habits with how our brains work.
2. Task Switching
Whilst our brains aren't built for simultaneous complex tasks, they are incredibly adept at task switching.
This can create the illusion of multitasking.
However, task switching has a hidden cost.
Each time we switch from Task A to Task B, a part of our attention - or cognitive residue - remains with Task A. This impacts our performance on Task B.
This phenomenon, identified by Dr. Sophie Leroy at the University of Washington, is known as "attention residue".
Why does attention residue matter?
Imagine you're deep into writing a report when you decide to take a quick break to check your emails. When you go back to the report, a part of your cognitive attention is still processing the emails, reducing your focus and efficiency on your report.
Whilst we shouldn’t, therefore, switch between cognitively demanding tasks, there is some good news. We can streamline some tasks with “multichannel multitasking” and “temptation bundling”.
3. Multichannel Multitasking
Our brains excel at multichannel multitasking, a phrase coined by Nir Eyal.
This involves cross-modal attention, allowing us to process different types of inputs simultaneously.
Activities that tap into different cognitive functions can take place concurrently. For example:
Walking Meetings: Talking to colleagues (using your auditory channel) whilst taking a walk (visual and motor channels).
Cooking and Chatting: Preparing a meal (visual, tactile, and motor channels) while having a conversation with a friend (auditory and verbal channels).
Cleaning and Listening: Doing household chores (visual, tactile, and motor channels) while listening to music or a podcast (auditory channel).
Success here lies in combining tasks that use different cognitive resources, thereby maximising the use of your time without overloading your brain.
There is some similarity here with ‘habit pairing’, for example, I often combine mediation with time in the sauna.
4. Temptation Bundling: The Powerful Motivation Hack
Temptation Bundling involves coupling a task you're trying to motivate yourself to complete with an activity you enjoy.
It was devised by Dr Katy Milkman at The Wharton School.
The idea is that one activity encourages the completion of the other.
For instance, in Milkman's study, participants given an iPod loaded with an enticing audiobook that they could only listen to at the gym resulted in 51% more gym visits compared to a control group.
By pairing a task that requires willpower with an enjoyable one, you get yourself some extra willpower.
This can be as simple as listening to some music you really enjoy whilst doing the other task. I normally enjoy listening to podcasts when doing strength work in the gym, and often put on some loud motivating music if going for a run!
In Summary
Congratulations, you now know:
Multitasking's Myth: Our brain can’t juggle multiple complex tasks simultaneously, so instead it switches between them
Attention Residue: Moving from one complex task to another causes attention residue from the first task, meaning we can’t fully concentrate on the second
Multichannel Multitasking: We can multitask when the activities are non-complex and involve different inputs
Temptation Bundling: This is a motivational strategy that pairs tasks requiring effort with pleasurable activities, making the former more enticing
On a personal note
I’m not joking about not being able to do grocery shopping whilst listening to a podcast. I don’t know if this is just me. If you can’t do this either, or find other multitasking difficult that sounds like it should be easy, please do let me know! 😀
One quote to get you going
"We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in."
- Arianna Huffington
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please email me at coaching@mostynwilson.com.
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