The Pitfalls of Multitasking at Work

Gustavo Fring/Pexels, Used with permission

In this digitally driven world, employers often seek employees who can multitask because they believe it can increase productivity and efficiency in the workplace. While multitasking may seem like a productivity booster, it can also lead to decreased focus, poorer work quality, and increased stress levels. Multitasking has been proven to reduce productivity and job performance: You waste time as your brain shifts gears from one activity to another, causing stress and potentially leading to burnout.

When you multitask, you attempt to perform multiple tasks simultaneously or switch between tasks. Even though research suggests that frequent multitasking may be less efficient, especially for complicated or unfamiliar tasks, it’s still touted as a positive asset in the workplace. Multitasking impacts concentration and cognition, requiring shifting mental gears as you switch between tasks.

8 Strategies (and the Language to Use) to Communicate Why Multitasking Isn't Good for Your Job

1. Back Up What You Say with Research: Research has long proven that multitasking doesn’t work well. A Stanford University study highlights the adverse effects of “media” multitasking on performance and how working on multiple devices at once or flipping from screen to screen causes memory failure. When you aren’t paying sufficient attention to an activity, you might not even remember completing the task.

   What to say: “I’m happy to share some research with you if you're interested in learning more about how we might optimize our work productivity.”

2. Make a Case for Single-Tasking: Instead of juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, try cultivating a habit of single-tasking. Focus on one task from start to finish, dedicating your complete attention and effort to accomplish it before moving on to the next. By dividing your workday into segments dedicated to specific projects or responsibilities, it helps you maintain focus and prevents distractions that could hinder productivity. This method allows you to delve into the details, maintain accuracy, and deliver high-quality work. In contrast, multitasking might have led to errors or delays in your work.

   What to say: “I'd like to propose experimenting with a single-tasking approach to see how it impacts my workflow and performance.”

3. Ask for Clarification on Priorities: Discuss with your boss which tasks are most critical and time-sensitive order to achieve clarity on where to focus your energy and attention. By understanding your boss's expectations and priorities, you can avoid the potential pitfall of spreading yourself too thin across various tasks and focus on the top priorities.

   What to say: “I wanted to touch base with you to ensure I'm focusing my energy on the most critical and time-sensitive tasks. Could you provide some guidance on what you consider the top priorities right now?”

4. Suggest a Trial Period of Single-Tasking: Propose implementing a trial period in which you focus on single-tasking to see the impact it has on productivity and work quality. This allows your boss to observe the benefits firsthand and make an informed decision based on actual results.

   What to say: “I'm dedicated to improving our team's workflow, and I believe that prioritizing single-tasking could lead to better results and improved focus. Could we try it out for a period to see how it impacts our productivity?”

5. Negotiate Deadlines and Workload: If you feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks you have, communicate this to your boss and discuss potential adjustments to deadlines or workload distribution. By openly addressing workload concerns, you can potentially work together to establish a feasible timeline for completing tasks without compromising quality.

   What to say: “I'm finding it challenging to keep up with the workload and meet all the deadlines. Can we brainstorm solutions together?”

6. Communicate the Need for Focus: In this digital world, there are so many ways to communicate, which includes face-to-face contact, emails, texting, phone calls, and messaging. When you are getting pinged from your boss and other coworkers repeatedly through multiple ways, it’s easy to feel stress due to all the interruptions and distractions causing you to lose focus on the task you are doing.

   What to say: “I've noticed that frequent interruptions from texts, emails, and phone calls are impacting my ability to concentrate on important tasks. Can we collaborate on finding a solution that supports both effective communication and productivity?”

7. Ask for Downtime. Did you know that an occasional mental health day actually boosts productivity? A mental health day provides essential restorative therapy that refocuses minds to maintain high levels of efficiency within a workplace, improving happiness. Research shows a direct correlation between happier employees and productivity.

   What to say: “I've been feeling overwhelmed lately, and I believe taking a mental health day would help me recharge and come back refreshed.”

8. Advocate for Mindfulness in the Workplace: Research shows that mindfulness training is an effective intervention organizations can utilize to improve the mental health, well-being, and performance of employees. Target, Google, Aetna, Intel, Dow, and the United States Marine Corps have implemented mindfulness-based training programs with well-publicized success. Studies have shown that two-thirds of mindfulness training for organizations was helpful in reducing stress, enhancing well-being, increasing employee engagement, creating greater job satisfaction, and improving client outcomes.

   What to say: “I've been exploring the benefits of mindfulness in the workplace. Would you be interested in discussing how we can incorporate some of these practices into our team culture?”

Avoiding Multitasking Can Make You Feel More in Control

Multitasking is an inevitable part of working and daily life, but managing it allows you to juggle activities in a more strategic way. Multitasking may seem like a shortcut to productivity, but in reality, it hinders performance. Advocating to your boss for a more focused approach to work can create a more efficient and effective work environment.

Ultimately, avoiding multitasking and prioritizing your workload can make you feel more in control of things that are happening to you. Having such an internal locus of control enhances your sense of personal responsibility; you believe that your choices and behavior directly influence the outcomes you experience in work and in life.