Researchers have proven that multi-tasking is a myth and doing many different things at once can actually hurt your productivity.
It’s undeniable; as women, we multi-task instinctively. This morning, when you were running for the tube in your heels
whilst reading a text and sipping your Latte, you didn’t take a moment to observe that you were multi-tasking, did you? What about yesterday, when your best friend was filling you in on her date and you were glancing to and from your iPhone screen? She didn’t mind, because you can listen and read at the same time, right? Well, wrong actually.
Recent studies have shown that, despite what we may think, our brains just aren’t equipped to multi-task. According to new figures, our short-term memories can only store between five and nine things at any one time. If something doesn’t make it into your short-term memory, then it certainly won’t make the cut for your long-term memory. Ultimately, you won’t be able to remember it.
I’m willing to bet that right now, you’re trying to multi-task. Yes, you’re reading this article, but your focus is elsewhere (don’t worry, I’m not offended… much.) So; what else are you doing? Making dinner? Checking your e-mails? Watching the television? Pretending to work? If so, you’re what the white-coats call a ‘heavy multi-tasker’. Although we all know that even a clown can ride a unicycle whilst juggling, there comes a point where your brain can’t take any more!
We can’t be blamed for assuming that the fairer sex is adept at task-juggling. If it’s not in our DNA, then it’s drilled into us on a social level; part-time, I work for an international coffee chain (not Costa, the other one) and as a Barista, multi-tasking is key. We’re expected to remember that Jo wants her usual venti skinny latte with sugar free vanilla, no foam and extra hot to go, write her name on her cup, clean up the milk which someone has thrown over the floor and take six paninis off the grill – all at the same time. At my store, our staff comprises of around eight women and three men: go figure.
Despite this, the recent statistics show that the brain can cope with menial multi-tasking well. For example; you can drive along the road whilst belting out Adele’s latest track (you know you’re an undiscovered talent) but tasks which require more brain-power just aren’t prepared to share. Hence the UK ban on using a mobile phone when driving – both things require focus and therefore brainpower and so, no matter what you think, can’t be done effectively together.
Something which many people don’t know is that multi-tasking is defined as not only “performing multiple tasks simultaneously”, but also “switching back-and-forth between tasks”. By my estimation, that makes every one of us a supposed multi-tasker. In terms of cognitive processing, flicking between tasks only adds around one tenth of a second each time, but it begins to add up! New statistics show that productivity is reduced by up to 40% simply by attempting to multi-task. They also tell us that factors such as tiredness and stress have similar effects.
So, next time you think you’re being clever by doing a million things at once, take a moment to focus on each task alone (then have a massage and a nap.) This way, you’ll have everything done in almost half the time! The truth is; you don’t need to work harder; you just need to work smarter.
