Jim Kwik explains why multitasking is actually rapid task switching that costs 1-10 minutes to refocus each time. Multitasking doubles task completion time and increases errors by 50%, even for surgeons. The fix: do one thing at a time.
Your brain cannot multitask. Research shows that multitasking is actually not possible. It's more of a myth. What you're really doing is something called task switching. That is, we're quickly switching back and forth between different tasks rather than doing them at the same time. You might think you're gaining multiple things at once, but switching from task to task can take you anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes to regain your focus because you're using a certain pattern of your neural network that is activated to do one task. And when you switch over to do something else, it takes time and energy to activate a new task and to deactivate another. Research shows that your error rate goes up 50% when you try multitasking, and it takes twice as long to do things. We know surgeons who try to multitask during surgery will make more surgical errors. So how do you maintain your focus in a world full of rings and pings and dings? Do one thing at a time.
The Library of Minds: Brain Coach: How to Stay Sharp When AI Does the Thinking | Jim Kwik
