Many people value multitasking as a skill, but is it really? 

If you’re doing multiple things simultaneously, are you actually doing anything to the best of your ability?

If your attention is on more than one thing, does anything have your full attention?

The answer: no, no, and no. 

Here me out…

I used to think I was a great multi-tasker. I even *cringe* used to put it on my resume (pro tip: stop putting it on your resume). However, since becoming an entrepreneur, I realized that even though I THINK I’m good at multitasking, I’m not very efficient when multitasking. In fact, multitasking makes me LESS productive, MORE stressed, MORE aggravated, and I don’t actually get anything complete. Sure, I might pick away a little bit here and there, but it’s never entirely done where I can cross it off my to-do list. 

So, what do I do instead? Focus on ONE task at ONE time. By doing this, I can focus my attention and produce quality work. I can even finish the task or project and cross it off my to-do list (ah, so satisfying). Then, on the days it doesn’t get completed, I know I have time set aside tomorrow to get it done too (enter, less stressed). 

Don’t get caught up in the belief that multitasking makes you more productive. Studies after studies have proven that this isn’t the case. Ever try to listen and absorb the information from a podcast WHILE answering emails – it doesn’t work (I know from personal experience!) I know it sounds like multitasking will save you time, but it doesn’t. You’re more likely to create low-quality content and make more mistakes (that you’ll have to spend more time going over to fix). 

I’m not saying I never get interrupted. I have kids, my phone rings, and urgent emails come through. But I try to dedicate chunks of my days to specific tasks. I answer emails first thing in the morning and then again later in the day. But I don’t answer them while working on something for a client. I don’t answer them when I’m on the phone with a client. My emails get 100% of my attention during the allotted time. Whatever tasks I’m working on are getting 100% of my attention. But, remember, life happens, and so do interruptions, so the point is: try your best. Try your best to focus your energy and mind on one task at a time and see how much more work you get done.