Slow Living Tips: The Art of Single-Tasking

Some time ago, the ability to multitask was one of the most important indicators of effectiveness. If you multitasked, you were supposed to be able to do twice the amount of work (though unfortunately, no one talked about the resulting quality). High achievers all over the world glorified multitasking and how it was the only way to achieve success.

And then the multitasking mania stepped out of the workspace and took over our social and family lives as well. Answering emails on the treadmill, preparing a presentation while cooking dinner and listening to how our partner’s day went, or scrolling through websites while talking with our friend on the phone.

Fortunately, the glorification of multitasking seems to have hit a wall. More and more successful people speak out against it, advocate single focus, and try juggling less things simultaneously.

Multitasking is kind of a myth

As science and research currently stands, most of us are simply not able to rapidly shift our focus between different tasks. At least not very effectively.

According to MIT neuroscientist Earl Miller, “”You’re not paying attention to one or two things simultaneously, but switching between them very rapidly“. Often, the things you’re trying to do simultaneously require the same brain function, and even the smartest brain cannot do the same things at the same time. So you divide your focus and switch between tasks and that inevitably leads to mistakes and poor results.

The irony is that while multitasking was applauded as the real efficiency accelerator, in reality, it results in just the exact opposite. As it turns out, your productivity actually suffers a lot, as it takes valuable time to fully refocus between different tasks.

The age of unconscious multitasking

I’ve never been a huge multitasker, at least not when it comes to more focus-intensive tasks. Ever since I was a kid, I needed complete silence to be able to focus on my homework, writing, or reading. I cannot even listen to music while I work. However, I realized I am too guilty of multitasking – even though maybe inadvertently.

If I’m “in the flow”, I can concentrate very intensively. However, when I’m not in the flow (and that’s sadly still the majority) more and more often I catch myself not being able to focus for an extended period of time:

I cannot remember the last time only one browser was open on my computer screen.

I “read” several articles at the same time – or rather skimming through several ones at the same time.

I “watch” Netflix, while simultaneously browsing the Internet.

I “talk” to friends, while scrolling through my phone.

The quotation marks are there for a reason. I don’t really watch, read, listen, or engage anymore – I only do a shadow of it.

It’s like my mind is not willing to cooperate and needs constant new stimuli and distractions. And I also have to admit, the situation is a lot worse than, say, 10 years ago.

There is a lot of research on how the rapid development of technology rewires our brains. Our attention span is dropping drastically. Slow experiences just do not cut it anymore. We need more stimuli, more voices, more news, instant gratification, and faster feedback.

For me, frankly, this is kind of terrifying. I’d like to get back the control over my brain and concentration.

The Art of Single-tasking

Single-tasking is about dedicating uninterrupted time and attention to one single task or activity. No more switching between your various to do list items, or trying to juggle several tasks simultaneously. It’s about eliminating distractions and interruptions in order to really concentrate and focus.

It’s so much healthier for our brain, efficiency, as well as for our mental well-being than the constant multitasking madness.

If you feel you routinely get overwhelmed by work, to do lists, and always-so-urgent tasks, or realize you’re not focusing on things that really matter, let’s try slowing down a little. Let’s retrain our brain and rediscover the art of single-tasking.

Here’s a little starting inspiration.

The single-tasking challenge

Use just one browser at a time //

Set aside specific times to check your email and close it down in the meantime //

Switch off your phone notifications – especially the social media notifications //

Microtask – Instead of doing multiple things at once, try to break them down to smaller chunks, focus on each of them separately, and actually finish them before starting something else //

Give others your full attention – no phone scrolling through coffee dates, phone calls, or family dinner //

Read an article from start to end – but really read it, no skipping through headlines //

Try the Pomodoro technique – focus intensively for a set time and then take a break //

Do not bring technology into a meeting // Leave the phones and laptops outside

Do not eat lunch in front of your computer – enjoy your meals, go out, talk with colleagues //

Time block your day – schedule tasks, but only one at a time. It gives you a sense of control //

Find your own personal productivity routine and stick to it //

Use the Do not disturb feature on your phone //

Create a to stop list to identify and eliminate distractions //

Read a book uninterrupted for at least 30 minutes //

Prioritise – a to do list in itself is useless. Try to make your list with a clarity about the deadlines and importance of the various tasks //

Take the time for some self-care – do what you want to do for your own enjoyment and let nothing distract you from it //

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