Dr Prem Life A Great Life Logo-R

Say no to multitasking – Live A Great Life Podcast by Dr Prem – Chapter. 57

Say no to multitasking - Live A Great Life Podcast by Dr Prem – Chapter. 57


Here is a quote –  It is not that we have too little time to do all the things we need to do, it is that we feel the need to do too many things in the time we have.

—Gary Keller

The multitasking monster seems to overpower the thoughts, capabilities and the zeal to excel of individuals for reasons that may differ. What it eventually leads to is a loss of focus, occasional lapses and, yes, a sense of boredom that demands immediate attention. When we have ‘a clear sense of priority’ and singularity of purpose, we will be able to do any task with the kind of specificity and attention that it requires.

On the other hand, walking in too many directions to grab everything that comes our way will baffle our senses. Such heedless actions and activities may eventually force us to loosen our grip when it is actually the time to grab the one we need the most.

A recent study 46conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry at the University of London goes on to prove that individuals who prefer multitasking have IQ levels lower than of those monotaskers.

Researchers carried their research on 1,100 workers at a British company to conclude that multitasking with electronic media is quite detrimental for Intelligence Quotient, which is actually more harmful than losing a night’s sleep or smoking pot.

Monotasking is always better than multitasking

Occupied with too many responsibilities and deadline pressures, professionals and individuals nowadays find themselves torn apart by the ‘monotasking versus multitasking’ dilemma that continues to become graver with each task added to their to-do list. Whether they should focus on one task or try their hands at several of them at a time seems to take a toll on their efficiency, productivity, and life, as a whole. Monotasking is the answer to all their work-related woes. While monotasking promotes productivity, focus and, of course, great results, multitasking promotes a false sense of better productivity.

Prioritize your tasks for effective execution

Your system for prioritizing your tasks and a defined strategy to do the most important one will definitely impact the result of your endeavor. If you don’t have a system for prioritizing, you’ll become more of a reactive individual who tries his hand at everything rather than being someone who knows what needs to be done first and why.

Don’t allow distractions to creep in

Monotasking is fast becoming a lost art of focus. As we are prone to distractions or meaningless activities, our focus tends to sway towards a dead end where we actually don’t know what to do. For example, you are working on a presentation and a Facebook notification pops up from nowhere. Rather than focusing on what you were doing, the notification now becomes a nuisance that you think is difficult to avoid. Here, the singularity of purpose takes the backseat when you allow a less meaningful task (activity, rather) to eat away your valuable time. Thus, it is advisable to turn off the tech if you don’t want awful results.

Here’s the conclusion: Multitasking is a misnomer

There is no such thing or process as multitasking; it’s a misnomer. Even when multitasking, we constantly switch between them like an amateur plate spinner and, hence, are always monotasking.

The debate ends with the simple logic that multitasking (which they think it to be) involves a drop in quality; mindful monotasking, on the other hand, has the sole objective of doing one task in the best way possible.

Recent Articles:

Scroll to Top