You Are Doing It Wrong if You Are Multitasking. Start Doing This Instead

a girl multitasking with emails, social media, cooking

As you read my post, are you juggling a million things simultaneously?

Emails, social media, and that half-finished project you plan to return to “any minute now.”

We’re all taught to believe multitasking is the golden ticket to getting more done.

But what if I told you the real key to being more productive is doing the opposite?

I’m talking about single-tasking.

But what is precisely Single Tasking?

Single-tasking is simply focusing on one task at a time until it's finished before moving on to the next.

I used to think, "How could doing less mean getting more done?" But after much trial and error and research, I discovered this little trick.

Why is Multitasking Messing with Us?

The irony is that multitasking doesn’t make us more productive.

Crazy, right?

Research shows it can slash our productivity by up to 40%. Our brains aren’t built to juggle multiple tasks that require focus.

Let’s take an example:

Have you ever tried watching a movie while reading a book?

It doesn’t work! You miss half the plot and have to keep rereading paragraphs. When we multitask, our brains do something called “task-switching,” which means constantly shifting gears.

So, every time we do, we burn mental energy, make mistakes, and stress ourselves out.

What’s Great About Single-Tasking?

You focus all your energy on one thing, getting into that “flow” state — that magical zone where everything clicks, and you’re unstoppable.

Verywellmind has reported:

Flow is a state of mind that occurs when a person is totally immersed in an activity.

It can occur during a wide variety of tasks such as when a person is learning, being creative, or participating in a sport.

When in a flow state, people pay no attention to distractions and time seems to pass without any notice.

Here’s why it works:

1. With single-tasking, you have a laser focus and not bouncing all over the place. You cut out distractions and give your full attention to one thing.

2. All your brainpower is concentrated on the task, so the outcome is often way better. Imagine making a rich, creamy latte instead of a watered-down coffee.

3. Less Stress: Multitasking is like living in a constant “Oh no, what was I doing?” Single-tasking brings calm and a sense of achievement as you get your work done and enjoy the process.

4. By sticking to one task, you finish faster. You won't waste time figuring out where you left off!

Did I Crack the Code for 10x Focus Using Just 10 Minutes and 3 Habits

---

How to Start Single-Tasking in a World Obsessed with Doing All the Things

Okay, I hear you — how do we even begin to single-task when everything around us screams, “Do more! Do it faster!”?

Here are some simple steps that have helped me:

Start with the ‘Big Three’

Pick the three most important things you need to do every morning and write them down on paper (trust me, it makes a difference).

These are your “Big Three” — focus on getting these done before anything else.

Time Blocking: Your Secret Weapon

Block out chunks of time just for one task. Use a timer (I love the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes on, 5 minutes off) to stay focused.

No emails, no TikTok, no distractions—just pure focus. Afterward, take a breather, then dive back in.

Create a Distraction-Free Zone

Your environment matters.

Clean up your workspace, shut those extra tabs, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb,” and let people know you’re in your “zone.”

The idea is to build a bubble where only the task exists.

Get Mindful About Your Focus

Practicing mindfulness — like deep breathing or a quick meditation — can train your brain to stay in the moment.

Start your day with a short mindfulness exercise to set the tone for focused work.

Learn to Love Boredom

Being bored is good for you!

It’s when your brain gets creative and solves problems in the background. So, let yourself be a little bored sometimes — that’s when the lightbulb moments happen.

---

Here’s my challenge for You

Pick one day this week to go all-in on single-tasking.

Reflect on how it felt. Did you notice any changes in how much you got done or how you felt while doing it?

I’d love to hear how it goes for you!

Drop a comment below or reply to this post, and let’s chat. If you know someone who’s getting frustrated with multitasking, share this with them.

Until next time, could you keep it simple and focused?

Stay awesome!

Finally, take a moment to see this video I created with a few valuable tools you may adopt to stay productive and GET YOUR WORK DONE.