Our brains are not wired for multitasking

When we multitask, we’re putting tremendous stress on our brains as we flit backward and forwards between different tasks.

Multitasking is a brain drain that exhausts the mind, zaps cognitive resources and, if left unchecked, condemns us to early mental decline and decreased sharpness.

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In Defense Of Multitasking: How To Do It The Right Way

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Multitasking: is it actually a good thing? Scientific research suggests there are ways to manage multiple tasks effectively. You sit down at your computer to get some work done-which often involves feverishly clicking back and forth between your inbox and whatever project is in front of you.

Key Ideas

Task switching

Many of the multitasking warnings actually refer to the concept of “task switching.” It refers to switching your attention from one thing to another.

Frequently flipping back and forth...

Multitasking can have some merit

While you’ve likely heard that it’s physically impossible to do two things at once, that rule really only applies to tasks that require the same cognitive resources. If you can find ways to combine two tasks that are different enough - like listening to an educational podcast while making your commute, practicing for a presentation while getting your miles in on the treadmill, or brainstorming article ideas while doing the dishes - multitasking can actually serve to your benefit.

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8 Ways To Improve Your Focus At Work

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forbes.com

Recently I started working on a project that required me to track my time. I didn't give it much thought until I started working, and that's when I discovered something-I have trouble staying on task. At least, I have trouble staying on one task.

Key Idea

Work in chunks

Our brain focuses best in short spurts, so dedicating 25 minutes to one activity, taking a five-minute break, and then resuming that activity or switching to another activity for another 25 minu...

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"Personal kanban": a life-changing time-management system that explodes the myth of multitasking

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qz.com

Multitasking is probably the single most overrated skill in modern life. It drains your brain of oxygenated glucose that could be put toward paying more focused attention, makes it difficult for a person to switch between tasks, and is generally an illusion anyway. Only 3% of the population are "supertaskers," according to a study from Ohio University.

Key Ideas

The Personal Kanban

It's a system to save us from our endless to-do lists, which can turn any job into a lifeless chore. It works on two principles:

Visualize your work and limit yo...

Setting up

Create three columns on a board where you can use magnets or post-it notes. Label the columns: Options, Doing, and Done.
Write your individual tasks down on separate cards. Post all of these cards in the "Options" column.
From that column, choose no more than three to move into the middle "Doing" column. This is your work in progress.
When a task is complete, move it into the "Done" column, and choose a new option to pull into "Doing."

The Zeigarnik effect

Starting but not completing too many projects puts people at risk of the Zeigarnik effect, which states that people are better at remembering unfinished tasks than completed ones.