The short answer to whether people can really multitask is no. Multitasking is a myth. The human brain cannot perform two tasks that require high-level brain function at once. Low-level functions like breathing and pumping blood aren’t considered in multitasking. Wait but how? Aight! I’m great at multitasking! I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at once.
When we think we’re multitasking we’re actually multi switching. That is what the brain is very good at doing — quickly diverting its attention from one place to the next. We think we’re being productive. We are, indeed, being busy. But in reality we’re simply giving ourselves extra work. We need to stop pushing ourselves from being a circus standing on two legs, cause like i said, multitasking is a myth.
“Multitasking is overrated — I’d rather do one thing well than many things badly. Quality supersedes quantity every time” said no one ever!
I agree, time flies when we are multitasking. But, we need to ask ourselves ,is it really necessary to juggle between tasks? Why not do one at a time, just mindfully!
In a study that looked at sex differences in spatial abilities in 40 countries they found that men scored higher on tests of multidimensional mental rotations than woman. No doubt when women are asked to sit down and shut up, they fail to follow!
Why don’t smart people multitask?
- Multitasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time.
- In addition to slowing you down, multitasking lowers your IQ.
- It was long believed that cognitive impairment from multitasking was temporary, but new research suggests otherwise.
- Multitasking in meetings and other social settings indicates low Self- and Social Awareness, two emotional intelligence (EQ) skills that are critical to success at work.
If you’re prone to multitasking, this is not a habit you’ll want to indulge , it clearly slows you down and decreases the quality of your work. Allowing yourself to multitask will fuel any existing difficulties you have with concentration, organization and attention to detail. Work smart! Stop juggling, you ain’t a circus clown!
Maansee Bakhrey,
Content Team,
