The Myth of Multitasking: Why It’s Sabotaging Your Success

Have you ever been on a Zoom call and noticed that one (or let’s be real—several) people are clearly multitasking? You can see the eyes darting, fingers flying across the keyboard, maybe even the slight delay when you ask a question and they realize they weren’t fully tuned in.

Or maybe you’ve done it yourself. 🙋🏽‍♀️ You try to answer emails, send a Slack message, and listen to a client call at the same time. But instead of feeling productive, your brain feels like it might actually explode.

Here’s the thing: we’ve been sold the idea that multitasking makes us efficient, but the truth? It’s quietly sabotaging your success.

Why Multitasking Feels Productive (But Isn’t)

When you’re juggling multiple things at once, it feels like you’re making progress. You’re busy. You’re active. You’re doing all the things. Here's what the productivity gurus don't want you to know: multitasking is actually impossible for the human brain.

What's the reality?

• Your brain isn’t designed to do two complex things at the same time.

• What’s really happening is task switching—and every time you switch, you lose focus and time. Researchers call it "switching penalty," and it can reduce your productivity by up to 40%.

• Studies show it can take up to 20 minutes to refocus after switching tasks. Multiply that across your day, and no wonder you feel exhausted.

  
  

Multitasking doesn’t make you more efficient. It makes you more distracted.

The Hidden Costs of Multitasking

It’s not just about lost time. Multitasking carries some sneaky side effects:

• Lower quality work. When your attention is split, mistakes creep in.

• Increased stress. Your nervous system doesn’t love being pulled in 5 directions.

• Burnout. That constant mental ping-pong drains your energy faster than you realize.

• Damaged relationships. Clients (and even friends) can feel when you’re only half-present.

Ouch.

The Focus Revolution: 3 Game-Changing Strategies

1. Time-Blocking: Your New Best Friend

Instead of keeping a running to-do list and bouncing between tasks randomly, assign specific time blocks to specific types of work.

Monday 9-11 AM: Client work only

Monday 11-11:30 AM: Email batch

Monday 11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Content creation

The magic happens when you protect these blocks fiercely. No "quick" email checks during client work time. No "just one social media post" during your deep work block.

Pro tip: Start with just 2-hour blocks. Don't try to time-block your entire day immediately – that's a recipe for overwhelm.

2. Task Batching: Similar Tasks, Same Time

Group similar activities together instead of scattering them throughout your day.

Instead of checking email 47 times a day (yes, that's the average!), batch it into 2-3 designated times. Instead of writing social media posts whenever inspiration strikes, batch your content creation into one focused session.

My favorite batching categories:

• Communication (emails, calls, messages)

• Creative work (writing, designing, brainstorming)

• Administrative tasks (invoicing, scheduling, organizing)

• Strategic thinking (planning, analyzing, problem-solving)

  
  

3. The Focus Hack That Changed Everything

Here's the simplest but most powerful strategy: One tab, one task.

Literally. Close every browser tab except the one you're working on. Put your phone in another room. Close Slack, turn off notifications, and give yourself permission to focus on just one thing.

I know it feels scary at first. What if something urgent comes up? What if you miss an important email?

Here's the truth: Very few things are actually urgent. And the quality of work you'll produce with focused attention will more than make up for the 2-hour delay in responding to that "urgent" email about a meeting next week.

Protecting Your Mental Energy Like the CEO Asset It Is

Your ability to focus and make good decisions is literally your most valuable business asset. When you're constantly multitasking, you're depleting this resource without even realizing it.

Think of your mental energy like a phone battery. Every task switch drains a little bit of power. Multitasking is like having 15 apps running in the background – your battery dies way faster, and everything runs slower.

Self-care isn't just bubble baths and face masks (though those are lovely too!). Sometimes, the most caring thing you can do for yourself is protect your cognitive resources by working in a way that honors how your brain actually functions.

Your Anti-Multitasking Challenge

This week, I want you to try the "One Thing Rule" for just one hour each day. Pick your most important task, close everything else, and give it your complete attention for 60 minutes.

Notice how it feels. Notice how much you actually accomplish. Notice how your energy levels change when you're not constantly switching gears.

I'm willing to bet you'll get more done in that focused hour than you typically do in three hours of scattered multitasking.

The Permission to Focus

Here's your permission slip: It's okay to do one thing at a time.

You're not being lazy. You're not being inefficient. You're not missing out on opportunities.

You're being strategic about your most precious resource – your mental energy. You're choosing quality over the illusion of quantity. You're working with your brain instead of against it.

And honestly? In a world where everyone is scattered and distracted, your ability to focus deeply on what matters most isn't just a competitive advantage – it's a superpower. ✨

What's the one task you're going to give your complete focus to this week? Drop it in the comments – I'd love to cheer you on as you reclaim your mental energy and get back to doing your best work!