The Modern Observer Group

You’ve probably heard people say they’re “multitasking”—like doing homework while watching TV or playing video games while chatting with friends. Maybe you even try it yourself, thinking you’re getting more done. But here’s the big secret: multitasking isn’t as great as it sounds. It might be doing more harm than good.

Here is why trying to do everything at once actually makes you less productive and can hurt your focus.

What Is Multitasking?

Multitasking means doing more than one thing at the same time. For example, you might think you can listen to music, text your friend, and study for your science test all at once. It seems like you’re saving time by juggling different tasks, but your brain isn’t designed to work that way.

Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work

You might feel like a superhero when you’re multitasking, but here’s the truth: your brain can only focus fully on one thing at a time. When you try to do multiple things at once, your brain has to switch back and forth between tasks quickly. Each time it switches, you lose focus and it takes time to get back on track.

Think of your brain like a juggler. If the juggler only has one ball to focus on, they can throw it up and catch it easily. But if you give them three or four balls, they have to divide their attention between all of them. Eventually, they drop one. That’s what happens when you try to multitask—your brain gets overloaded, and something gets “dropped,” like missing important details in your homework or forgetting what your friend said in a text.

The Negative Effects of Multitasking

Here are some of the big problems that come with multitasking:

• You Make More Mistakes: When your brain is switching between tasks, it’s easy to mess up. If you’re doing your math homework while watching a YouTube video, you might miss steps in a problem or write down the wrong answer. Even small mistakes can add up, making it harder for you to get things done correctly.
• It Slows You Down: You might think you’re getting more done by multitasking, but actually, it takes longer to finish each task. Your brain needs time to refocus every time it switches between activities, which slows you down. If you focus on one thing at a time, you’ll probably finish faster and do a better job.
• Your Memory Gets Worse: Multitasking makes it harder for your brain to remember things. For example, if you’re texting while reading a book for school, you might forget what you just read. Your brain can’t store the information properly because it’s being pulled in different directions. This can hurt your performance in school and make learning more difficult.
• It Stresses You Out: Trying to do too many things at once can make you feel overwhelmed. Your brain gets tired from all the switching between tasks, and that can lead to stress. When you feel stressed, it’s even harder to focus, which creates a cycle of frustration and low productivity.
• You Miss Out on Important Details: When you’re multitasking, it’s easy to overlook important details. Maybe you didn’t fully understand the instructions for a project because you were texting a friend at the same time. Or maybe you missed a key part of a conversation because you were distracted by a video game. Focusing on one thing at a time helps you catch those details.

Why Focusing Is Better

Here’s the good news: if you focus on just one task at a time, you’ll get more done, and you’ll do it better. This is called single-tasking, and it’s like giving your brain a clear path to follow instead of making it jump back and forth.

When you give all your attention to one thing:

• You work faster because your brain isn’t constantly distracted.
• You make fewer mistakes because you’re paying attention.
• You understand things better because your brain can focus on learning.
• You feel less stressed because you’re not overwhelmed by too many things happening at once.

How to Avoid Multitasking

It might feel like multitasking is a habit you can’t break, but there are ways to avoid it and stay focused:

• Do One Thing at a Time: When you’re doing homework, put away your phone or turn off the TV. Focus on the assignment until you finish, then move on to the next task.
• Set a Timer: Give yourself a set amount of time to focus on one task, like 20 or 30 minutes. After that, take a short break. This helps your brain stay sharp without getting too tired.
• Turn Off Notifications: Your phone is probably the biggest distraction. Turn off notifications from apps while you’re working so you won’t be tempted to check them.
• Make a To-Do List: Write down everything you need to get done, and then work through the list one task at a time. Crossing things off feels great and keeps you on track!

Multitasking sounds like a good idea, but in reality, it slows you down, causes mistakes, and makes it harder for your brain to work its best. By focusing on one thing at a time, you’ll finish your work faster and with fewer errors. Plus, you’ll feel less stressed and more in control of what you’re doing.

See how a Modern Observer Group coach can help you increase your focus.  Schedule a call here or contact us at the information below. Modern Observer Group programs are based on the Businetiks system as detailed in the book, “The Businetiks Way.”