Why You Need to Stop Multitasking Right Now

…at least to the extent possible

A stressed-out office worker — image generated via MidJourney

The verdict is in. Multitasking is a myth. It doesn’t work. And trying to multitask doesn’t lead anywhere good.

Studies show that very, very few people can multitask effectively. For the overwhelming human population, multitasking (or trying to) leads to stress, errors, low morale, and problems.

Here’s what the experts say:

• “Multitasking is the illusion of doing many things at once.” — David Meyer, Professor of Psychology at University of California, Santa Barbara
• “Multitasking is like trying to cook two meals in one pot: you may get something edible, but it won’t be as good as if you had cooked each meal separately.” — David Rock, Author of Your Brain at Work
• “Multitasking is a myth. The brain can only focus on one thing at a time.” — Earl Miller, Professor of Neuroscience at MIT
• “Multitasking is a productivity killer.” — Linda Stone, Author of Reclaiming Your Life from Electronic Overload
• “Multitasking is a recipe for stress and mistakes.” — Susan Weinschenk, Author of The User’s Brain

Of course, we live in a fast-paced society that encourages multitasking. Indeed, many employers demand it. But…