WHY MULTITASKING DOESN’T WORK

Multitasking is a Myth

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Many people try to do multiple things at once and call it multitasking.
But according to scientists, true multitasking doesn’t exist. The brain cannot perform two tasks simultaneously if both require attention.

What actually happens is that you constantly switch between tasks. Your attention jumps from one thing to another, and each time you have to start again.
It may seem efficient, but it actually costs time and energy.

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What is switch-tasking?

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If you’re on a call while reading an email, you’re not doing two things at once.
Your brain is switching back and forth—listening, then reading, then back again.

This constant switching is called switch-tasking.

Every time you switch, you have to get back into the task. Your concentration drops, and you need to rebuild your focus.
This takes time and energy often more than you realize.

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The cost of switch-tasking:

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Every time you switch between tasks, you pay a price.
Your attention is interrupted, and you have to restart again and again.

It may seem harmless, but the effects add up:

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• Less productive

• More mistakes

• Time needed to get back into the task

• Reduced creativity

• Temporary loss of focus

• Increased stress

• High energy cost​

 

What works better?

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The most effective approach is to focus on one task at a time and complete it before starting the next.

By switching less, you create more clarity and calm. You can stay focused longer and work more accurately.

In reality, this isn’t always easy. We are often expected to be available and respond quickly.

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In practice:

In everyday work, we continue to switch between tasks.
That’s exactly why it’s important to understand what this does to your attention.

During the workshop and keynote “Multitasking Is a Myth,” participants experience firsthand what happens when they constantly switch.

They discover where time and energy are lost—and how to deal with it more effectively.