The Truth No One Tells You About Doing Too Much at Once
In this article Why I Stopped Multitasking — And Everything Got Better we will talk about why we should not be doing all the things together.
I used to think multitasking was a superpower.
Juggling tabs. Answering messages while eating. Listening to podcasts while working. I felt like I was doing more than most people around me.
But I wasn’t.
Somewhere in the rush of being “productive,” I lost something. My focus. My peace. My ability to truly be present. I didn’t even notice it… until I stopped.
And that one decision? It changed everything.
Multitasking: The Myth We Keep Believing
We Think We’re Saving Time — But We’re Not
Here’s the lie: multitasking makes us faster.
The truth? According to a study from Stanford University, multitasking actually reduces productivity by up to 40%. Your brain constantly switches gears, and that mental switch slows you down — even if it feels like you’re “on fire.”
You know that weird moment when you forget what you were doing two seconds ago? That’s not age. That’s attention residue — the leftovers of jumping from one task to another too quickly.
Why We’re Addicted to Multitasking
We live in a world that rewards busy.
- Notifications buzz.
- Emails pop in.
- We feel guilty just sitting still.
Multitasking gives the illusion of progress. But it’s shallow — like sipping ten drinks at once and never tasting a single one.
And over time, it trains your brain to crave that chaos. You get uncomfortable in silence. You panic when you’re not “doing enough.”
It’s not just a habit. It’s a loop.
What Happened When I Finally Stopped
Day 1 Felt Like Withdrawal
The first day I tried single-tasking — focusing on just one thing at a time — it was weird.
I kept reaching for my phone. My brain wandered. I had to fight the urge to open another tab while writing.
But I stuck with it.
I told myself: “This hour is for writing. Nothing else.”
At first, I got 20 minutes in before checking notifications. Then 30. Then 45.
By day 5, I did a full 90-minute work sprint with no distractions — and for the first time in months, I felt proud of my effort.
My Brain Actually Felt… Calmer
I don’t know how to describe it except this: my head had more space.
My thoughts were clearer. I wasn’t jumping from idea to idea. I didn’t feel that weird burnout at 3pm.
I had energy left at the end of the day.
Even simple things like eating or walking felt better — when I wasn’t checking my phone or thinking about the next thing.
My Work Improved — Even My Relationships Did
When I focused fully on one thing:
- My writing was better.
- My conversations were deeper.
- I listened more.
- I rushed less.
I even started noticing small details I had ignored before: the taste of tea, the sound of wind, my own thoughts.
It wasn’t just about productivity anymore.
It was about presence.
What I Learned — And What You Can Try
1. Schedule “Single-Tasking” Time
Start with just 30 minutes a day. Pick one task. Put your phone in another room. Close extra tabs.
You’ll feel the urge to check things — but fight it. The discomfort fades fast. The clarity replaces it.
2. Use Tools That Block Distractions
I personally tried a tool called Forest, where a tree grows if you don’t touch your phone. Silly? Maybe. But it helped.
You can also try:
- FocusMate (virtual body doubling)
- Cold Turkey (app blocker)
- Or just a kitchen timer and silent mode.
Even AI can help — like using ChatGPT to batch tasks instead of context-switching all day.
3. Slow Down on Purpose
Do one thing slower than usual — cooking, folding clothes, brushing your teeth.
Notice how different it feels when you’re not rushing.
That’s presence. That’s peace.
It sounds too simple to matter. But that’s the point.
Expert Opinions That Back It Up
- Dr. Clifford Nass, Stanford researcher, found that frequent multitaskers actually perform worse on memory tasks and filtering information.
- Dr. Gloria Mark, in her book Attention Span, explains that the average attention span is now 47 seconds — and dropping — because of how we live.
- Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, says: “The ability to focus is becoming rare — and therefore valuable.”
Focus isn’t just a skill. It’s a power move.
Real-Life Examples from Others
- Sophie, a graphic designer, went from 10 open projects to just 2 per day. She said, “I started loving my work again.”
- Jared, a college student, stopped studying with YouTube in the background. His grades jumped in one semester.
- A mom named Priya blocked 1 hour every day just for reading. She said it felt like reclaiming her brain.
None of them went back.
Final Thoughts — What I Gained by Letting Go of “Doing More”
Stopping multitasking didn’t make me less productive.
It made me more alive.
I don’t need ten things at once anymore. One thing, done with care, feels richer than ten rushed tasks.
I still slip up. I still open too many tabs sometimes. But now I notice. And I come back.
Back to one thing.
Back to presence.
Back to better.
FAQs
Q1: Is multitasking ever good?
Only for very routine or physical tasks (like walking + talking). For deep thinking or learning, it reduces effectiveness.
Q2: What’s the best way to stop multitasking?
Start small. Block 30 minutes a day for single-tasking. Remove digital distractions. Build up slowly.
Q3: Does single-tasking really improve productivity?
Yes. Studies show higher quality work, better memory, and less fatigue when you focus on one task at a time.
Q4: Can I still listen to music while working?
If it’s instrumental or familiar, it’s usually fine. Lyrics can interfere with language-based tasks like writing.
Q5: How can I stay consistent with single-tasking?
Make it a ritual. Same time, same place. Use tools like timers or app blockers to train your brain.
