What Is Human Multitasking? How Can You Keep It In Check?

You’re a fairly new family caregiver. You’ve just shared with a good friend how much responsibility you now have. Raising a family. Full-time work. Social engagements. Church. Personal time. Your friend asks, “Hey, have you tried multitasking?” You muse, “That sounds interesting.” What’s multitasking?

Here’s a good definition of "human multitasking"¹:

When someone tries to perform two tasks simultaneously
(they) switch from one task to another
(they) perform two or more tasks in rapid succession

The brain can only focus on one heavy-duty task at a time.

Wow! If you followed your friend’s suggestion to multitask, it would come with a price.

The downsides of multitasking

A higher likelihood of errors

We get distracted when we juggle heavy-duty tasks. It’s bound to happen. If you juggle heavy-duty tasks with what some folks term multitasking, you’ll soon drop the ball. Critical steps of a task could be left out. Or we might perform a task poorly.

Author Cal Newport wrote the book Deep Work: Rules For Focused Success In A Distracted World. In the book he writes of a paper that Sophie Leroy, a business professor at the University of Minnesota titled, “Why Is It So Hard To Do My Work?”³ Leroy refers to the effect multitasking has. She terms it ‘attention residue.’ In switching tasks, a person’s attention remains on the first task. It creates divided attention. Performance levels were lower for the following task.

When multitasking, you give less than 100% attention to each task. This could be life-threatening. How often do you see people with a cell phone to their ear while driving?

My guess is every so often. Distracted driving endangers all of us! Even with hands-free cell phone use, the risk of accidents is higher than if no cell phone is used when driving.

Feeling overwhelmed

The constant switching of attention could cause feelings of being overwhelmed. Furthermore, it may cause brain fatigue. This may affect good judgment.

In conversations with someone who multitasks, you may feel less valued. It’s as if you don’t have their full attention.

Ever stand in front of someone who’s on their smartphone? They're scrolling through its newsfeed. At that moment did you try to hold a conversation with that person? Did they look up at you? What if they didn't? It feels like you’re not important. This may cause misunderstandings. Accordingly, it may negatively affect the quality of relationships. It is the opposite of fostering cohesiveness between people.

Less gets done

The time switching between tasks, adds up. Less gets done. A person gets so busy switching between tasks.

Digital multitasking

What’s the greatest pitfall for multitasking? It’s using digital media. A Stanford online article discourages using “many types of media at once (because they) performed significantly worse on simple memory tasks.” ⁴

How do you not default to multitasking? Read further, I’ll share some ways to address it.

Ways to keep multitasking in check

Be aware of your time constraints. Set aside time blocks to tackle one major task at a time. You want to devote all of your attention to each major task.

In the world of work, gently and tactfully initiate discussions on the unrealistic expectation of multitasking. What I found astounding is that when I did this Google® search: Indeed® multitasking jobs employment, I found 51,520 current job postings throughout the United States. In those postings, the word ‘multitasking’ appears either in the job details or job description. Do some research on multitasking. You can start with some of the resources listed in the resource list below.

Keep a notepad handy. Or use a notes app on your smartphone. When a request for your attention is not urgent, write a note so you can get to it later. Use the alarm function on your smartphone to remind you of critical tasks.

Review your notes at regular intervals. Resist the urge to look at your notes before that interval occurs. Instead, work uninterrupted. The power of concentration for an extended time without interruptions can accomplish much.

Gain focus by subtracting. Be relentless with prioritizing. Learn to not feel guilty when you say ‘no’ to non-priority requests.

I use a Time Timer® for a 30-minute task sprint. It helps me put the proverbial ‘blinders’ on the sides of my attention so I don’t get distracted. Time-efficient experts encourage using the Pomodoro® technique. 25 minutes of timed intensive work, then 5 minutes of break, then repeat. I choose not to ‘switch’ my attention, if it’s not an emergency. Using a timer also helps me take power naps, at 10 to 20-minute intervals. I am becoming more familiar with managing my energy throughout the day.

Put reasonable limitations on social media or media in general. It’s a time sucker. It pulls you away from other more important tasks. What if you checked emails and texts at set intervals during the day? You could do that with social media. You’ll be less distracted and more productive.

In an online article entitled “The Dangers of Multitasking and Tips for Overcoming Them” theIndeed Editorial Team encourages following the OHIO rule. It stands for “only handle it once”. The article explains, “Multitasking commonly leads to professionals returning to the same task multiple times rather than completing a task when they start it which can be inefficient. Therefore, to avoid this pitfall, use the OHIO rule and don’t stop working on a task until you finish it.”⁵

How our agency can help

Family caregiving requires grit and dedication. If you’re in the midst of it or considering it, please let us help you. We’re here to answer your questions or offer helpful suggestions. If you’re open to it, our caregivers can help take on large tasks you’re responsible for, such as caring for your loved one for a portion of your days. Above all, we’ll help you get on the path to discovering peace of mind. Call today Telephone: 805-238-3500.

Conclusion

Multitasking hinders your efficiency. There’s so much scientific proof to that. If you have heavy responsibilities, this deceptive tactic looks enticing. Don’t take the bait. Instead, take a moment to review the resources listed in this blog. You’ll find that there are better strategies for getting your tasks done. Skip the chaos and inefficiency of multitasking. What’s holding you back from following better strategies to get things done?

Resource list:

Skerret, Patrick J., Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School, (1-7-12) “Multitasking – a medical and mental hazard”(retrieved 8-14-24) from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/multitasking-a-medical-and-mental-hazard-201201074063#:~:text=They%20said%20that%20multitasking%20increases%20the%20chances,which%20can%20hinder%20problem%20solving%20and%20creativity.

Robinson, Bryan, Ph.D. (12-10-21) Forbes.com “8 Instant Lifts to Sidestep Mind Fatigue and Create A Happier, Healthier Brain” (retrieved 8-15-24) from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2020/07/13/8-instant-lifts-to-sidestep-mind-fatigue-and-create-a-happier-healthier-brain/#:~:text=University%20of%20Michigan%20researchers%20discovered%20that%20when,neutralizes%20efficiency%20and%20quality%20of%20the%20outcome%2C

Roberts, Shannon. Utah News Dispatch. Commentary. (4-4-24) “Even hands-free, phones and their apps cause dangerously distracted driving.” (retrieved 8-17-24) from: https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/04/04/phones-and-apps-cause-dangerous-distracted-driving/#:~:text=Even%20hands%2Dfree%2C%20phones%20and,driving%20%E2%80%A2%20Utah%20News%20Dispatch

Staff writers. UC Berkeley Administration. Berkeley People & Culture. “The Impact of Interruptions”. (retrieved 8-17-24) from: https://hr.berkeley.edu/grow/grow-your-community/wisdom-caf%C3%A9-wednesday/impact-interruptions#:~:text=The%20length%20of%20our%20recovery,the%20number%20of%20computer%20errors)

Bates, Sofie. (10-25-18) Stanford University. Stanford Report. “ A decade of data reveals that heavy multitaskers have reduced memory, Stanford psychologist says.” (retrieved 8-14-24) from: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2018/10/decade-data-reveals-heavy-multitaskers-reduced-memory-psychologist-says

Bregman, Peter (5-20-10) Harvard Business Review. hbr.org. “How (and Why) to Stop Multitasking”. (retrieved 8-15-24) from: https://hbr.org/2010/05/how-and-why-to-stop-multitaski

Time Timer®. This handy device is shared for informational purposes because it’s so useful. Christian Love Home Care does not endorse it, nor do we receive compensation for mentioning this product. Time Timer® does not endorse Christian Love Home Care. Purchase and use at your own risk. https://www.timetimer.com/

Footnotes:

¹Staff writers. American Psychological Association. apa.org (3-20-06) “Multitasking: Switching costs”. (retrieved 7-29-24) from: https://www.apa.org/topics/research/multitasking

²ibid.,

³Newport, Cal (2016) Deep Work: Rules For Focused Success In A Distracted World. Grand Central Publishing. pgs 41-43.

⁴Bates, Sofie. (10-25-18) Stanford University. Stanford Report. “ A decade of data reveals that heavy multitaskers have reduced memory, Stanford psychologist says.” (retrieved 8-14-24) from: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2018/10/decade-data-reveals-heavy-multitaskers-reduced-memory-psychologist-says

⁵Indeed Editorial Team. Indeed. indeed.com (updated 8-15-24) “The Dangers of Multitasking and Tips for Overcoming Them.” (retrieved 8-17-24) from: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/dangers-of-multitasking