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We live in a world that celebrates being busy. Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that doing more things at once makes us more efficient. But here’s the truth: multitasking is not the productivity hack we think it is. It’s quietly draining your focus, lowering the quality of your work, and leaving you more exhausted than ever.
Think about it. How many times have you tried to answer an email while sitting in a meeting, only to realize you missed half of what was said? Or maybe you’ve been working on a report while scrolling through your phone, then had to reread the same sentence three times because your brain wasn’t fully there. That’s not productivity, it’s distraction disguised as effort.
Science backs this up. Studies show that our brains aren’t wired to focus on multiple tasks at once. What we’re really doing is “task switching,” flipping back and forth between things. Each switch costs us time and energy, and the more we do it, the more mentally tired we become. The result is slower progress, more mistakes, and a constant feeling of being busy without actually accomplishing much.
The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle. There are better ways to get more done without burning yourself out.
The first step is to embrace single-tasking. That means giving your full attention to one thing at a time. It might feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you’re used to juggling everything at once, but it’s like giving your brain a deep breath. You’ll notice you move faster, think clearer, and actually finish tasks instead of dragging them out.
Another powerful shift is time blocking. Instead of letting your day get hijacked by random tasks, carve out specific chunks of time for specific work. For example, spend an hour on deep work without checking your phone, then take a break. Group similar tasks together, like answering all your emails in one sitting instead of scattering them throughout the day. This trains your brain to focus and reduces the mental clutter of constant switching.
And don’t underestimate the value of rest. Our culture glorifies being “on” all the time, but productivity isn’t about working nonstop, it’s about working smart. Short breaks, a walk outside, or even a few minutes of silence can recharge your brain and make your next stretch of work more effective.
At the end of the day, multitasking is a myth that robs us of real progress. The key to true productivity isn’t doing everything at once, it’s doing the right thing with your full attention. By slowing down and focusing, you’ll actually speed up your results and feel a whole lot better in the process.
So the next time you catch yourself juggling three things at once, pause. Pick one task, commit to it, and give it your full focus. You’ll be surprised at how much lighter and more productive your day feels.