{"id":102,"date":"2021-06-27T06:27:43","date_gmt":"2021-06-27T10:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.istratus.com\/blog\/?p=102"},"modified":"2022-01-27T10:46:50","modified_gmt":"2022-01-27T15:46:50","slug":"multitasking-mania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/istratus.com\/blog\/time-management\/multitasking-mania\/","title":{"rendered":"Multitasking Mania\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s crazy how life takes hold of us \u2013 really, truly \u2013 it is. Today, it has become commonplace to feel the need to reach a certain level of \u201cmultitasking mania\u201d of whatever, to be \u201csuccessful\u201d or productive. <\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s rephrase, we have gotten into the mentality that we have to be achieving 15 things at once for the day to be truly made worthwhile. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why do so many of us still insist on undertaking multiple things at once as a way of increasing our productivity? <\/span><\/p>\n

Technology was supposedly invented to make our lives easier, not motivate us to simultaneously communicate, engage and work across six different platforms or technologies. Yet, that\u2019s exactly what\u2019s happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are numerous studies, which have explored the effects of how multitasking fundamentally increases the stress and anxiety within our daily lives, which then of course, negatively impacts our mood, motivation, and productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

To this end, it all becomes counterproductive! <\/span><\/p>\n

The crux: iStratus is here to help reduce your need to multitask. Prioritizing is always key to avoiding the mind boggle. In this article, we’re going to address 5 worthy reasons why you should begin<\/span> switching your multitasking habits more towards \u201c<\/span>solo-tasking<\/span><\/i>\u201d instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Multi Tasks = Multi Mistakes<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Logically, when undertaking several things at once, your mind is divided between them all, so it’s a typical knock-on effect that errors will multiply. According to research in the UK, multitasking makes filtering out irrelevant information difficult. In the end, there will undoubtedly be some cross-firing and mental mix-ups between tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Can we afford these mistakes? Likely not. Thus, each task should have full attention, solo.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      Your Brain is in Overload Mode<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      By juggling multiple objectives at once, your mind simply isn\u2019t fully focused on any given task. Have you ever been introduced to someone new and then instantly forgotten what their name was? <\/span><\/p>\n

      \u2013 Hands up folks.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This happens because our mind is distracted by something else and doesn\u2019t retain that new piece of information provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This inability to concentrate can indeed impact your professional life but there are implications upon the personal aspects as well. When we\u2019re not living in the present, we are essentially only half-available.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        Creativity is Stifled<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        You may recall, we\u2019ve mentioned in previous iStratus articles focussing on too many tasks at once, your working memory is left conjuring up ideas and concepts. <\/span><\/p>\n

        When that overload occurs we stop accessing other areas of our frontal lobe that are there to be used for critical thinking and creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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        1. \n

          Multitasking is a Waste of Time<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          In an attempt to complete small, seemingly insignificant tasks while trying to close out a larger one, the mind has to reset itself each time it shifts from task to task.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Therefore we are unable to maintain what\u2019s known as our \u201cflow states\u201d. You have probably experienced this before. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n

          While reading an email working from home, the phone rings, kids require feeding or the dog needs a wee walk that cannot wait. <\/span><\/p>\n

          An hour and a half an hour later, you find yourself back at your laptop having to re-read that email, surprised by how much you\u2019ve already forgotten due to the interruption. <\/span><\/p>\n

          Increasing that feeling of anxiety, which habitually plagues people who regularly have to divide their attention multiple ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Professionally, maintaining flow states undeniably increases productivity!<\/span><\/p>\n

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          1. \n

            Are You Living?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            The truth is: Connecting with your immediate surroundings or interacting fully with other human beings is what gives us can that sense of deep fulfillment.<\/span><\/p>\n

            By considering the reasons listed above it\u2019s quite easy to see why the idea of effective multitasking is a bit of a myth.<\/span><\/p>\n

            \u201cEnergy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing\u2026what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.\u201d<\/span><\/h6>\n
            ~ Oprah Winfrey<\/span><\/h6>\n

            As humans, we want to accomplish things that matter. <\/span><\/p>\n

            So, what do you do from here? iStratus recommends these methods to strengthen productivity and cut back your stress levels:<\/span><\/p>\n