The Only Two Times You Can Multitask Effectively
Generally, multitasking makes you worse at everything . There is plenty of scientific research to back this up, and you probably have your own anecdotal evidence to back it up. But sometimes you just need it, and sometimes it can be okay. The cases where multitasking actually works are quite rare and specific, so here’s what you need to know.
Why not multitask all the time?
When you multitask, you interrupt yourself and your progress on each individual task. Researchers believe it is “an intermittent behavior that reduces efficiency and wastes time.” Your productivity decreases, errors increase, and you get less done (or at least less well) than if you planned your day to tackle one to-do list item at a time .
Obviously, it’s better to avoid this altogether. Get yourself a planner and manage your time wisely so that you have enough space to complete one task at a time.
When can multitasking work?
However, life is busy. Some things just don’t go according to plan, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You may find that you need to double the number of things you do to get everything done. If possible, only use multitasking in one of these two situations:
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When you’re not working on something too complex and can handle a short, even simpler break (like responding to an email that pops up while you’re cleaning up your desk)
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When you perform one of the tasks almost on autopilot , for example, walking on a treadmill or brushing your teeth.
If you listen to an audiobook while running or call your mom while driving, that’s normal if you run or drive so much that it’s very much second nature. However, anything that makes a task more difficult—like unexpected road construction or a street light going out—can suddenly turn the task into an unfamiliar one, and then multitasking won’t work either.
To the best of your ability, avoid this altogether. Try using the Pomodoro technique to work on one task for a long time, then take a five-minute break before returning to it. During this break, you can change gears, answer emails, call people back, relax, or do anything else. Get a timer to keep track of how long you’re working so you don’t accidentally end up multitasking while checking the time on your phone and noticing a message you need to respond to.