8 Ways to Simplify Your Life When You Stop Multitasking

Why You Need To Stop Multitasking

For years we have been led to believe that multitasking is somehow a virtue. We’re told that the ability to multitask leads to greater productivity. We hear about how much better women are than men at multitasking as if this is a good thing.

The truth is, multitasking is one of the greatest destroyers of simplicity in our life. It destroys both time and energy. Think about talking on a cell phone while driving, this multitasking has been made illegal in nearly every state for good reason, mental overload can result in catastrophe. Simply put, our minds were not designed for multitasking.

In fact, we never truly multitask, when we think we are multitasking what we are actually doing is switching between tasks. Neuroscientist Earl Miller from MIT, says that we simply can’t focus on more than one thing at a time. What we can do, he said, is shift our focus from one thing to the next with astonishing speed.

When we multitask, we are actually hurting our efforts to simplify. Here are three ways multitasking is hurting rather than helping you.

1. It Takes You Longer to Finish Your Tasks

Contrary to popular belief, multitasking doesn’t save time. In fact, it will most likely take you longer to finish your tasks when you’re jumping back and forth than it would if you finish each one separately.

Researchers from the University of Michigan found that people took longer when they tried to perform tasks simultaneously and switch back and forth between tasks rather than completing the tasks one at a time. In some cases, they were 50 percent less efficient and accurate.

Each task you perform requires a specific mindset. You can never get into the groove when you switch back and forth between tasks. To be present and focused, start one task, and stay with that task until it is finished.

2. It Increases Your Stress Level

Daniel Weissman, the Neuroscientist in charge of the experiment at the University of Michigan, said that even simple tasks can overwhelm the brain when we try to do several at once.

In an article published in Health Day, David Meyer, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, was cited as saying that the brain responds to impossible demands by pumping out adrenaline and other stress hormones that put a person “on edge.” These hormones provide a quick burst of energy, but energy won’t make multitasking easier, he says.

According to Myer’s, over time, the stress of multitasking may even become dangerous. A steady flow of stress hormones can strain the body and threaten health.

3. Your Memory Will Suffer

Have you ever tried to read when someone is talking? Do you find that you miss details from both the conversation and your book? When you try to do two things at once, you’re interrupting one task to suddenly focus on another. In doing so, you disrupt your short-term memory, according to a 2011 study.

It’s easy to look at these facts about multitasking and think, how in the world am I going to get all of the hundreds of things that I need to get done on any given day if I don’t multitask? How will I ever find time for the things that matter most if I stop multitasking?

The simple answer to the above question is that you actually accomplish more by doing less.

You see it is all about understanding what multitasking is about and what simplifying is all about. Multitasking is about doing more, simplicity is about doing less with more focus.

In the end, multitasking is what complicates our life because its focus is on doing more work. On the other hand, the simplicity of focusing on one task at a time allows you to do the work you have in less time. When you’re able to complete your work in less time, you have time for the things that matter most to you, the things that bring joy to your life.

How To Stop Multitasking 

To simplify your life try these 8 principles that will have you accomplishing more in less time and stop multitasking.

1. Make a List Each Evening for the Following Day

A written list is an excellent way to stay focused on your important tasks without having to take the time to stop and think about what needs to be done. We all have those days that feel so rushed, there’s no time to even stop and make a list. However, those days will feel less chaotic if you take just a little time to make a list of what you need to accomplish.

I found that I was regularly overwhelmed if I didn’t write things down. Everything always seems more daunting when it’s all in your head. Lists really help break down tasks in a way that makes them feel more manageable. Carrying around your to-do list in your head is unnecessary weight and stress.

It doesn’t take long to make a list of the next day’s tasks. Make it part of your regular evening routine. All it requires is setting aside a few minutes each evening to write down the things you need to do for the next day. It honestly only takes moments and once you’re done, those things are out of your brain and you can enjoy the rest of the evening.

I promise everything will feel simpler because you’ll accomplish more in less time and stay focused.

2. Remove the Unnecessary

It is easy to add things to our to-do list that don’t necessarily add value to our life. Yet at the same time, we rarely subtract those same things. To simplify your life and stop multitasking, it is important to be purposeful with the things you’re doing and with the things that you are eliminating.

Once your to-do list is complete, cross off those things that are not adding value to your life. Can you eliminate errands by shopping online, or joining a carpool? The key is to remove anything that prevents you from having the time for the things that you truly enjoy. By eliminating unnecessary things from your to-do list, you’ll have more time to accomplish what truly matters.

3. Set Blocks of Time for Specific Tasks

One of the easiest ways to stop multitasking and be able to accomplish more in less time is to work in batches. For example, if you set a specific amount of time to just respond to e-mails when that time is up you move on to another task.

To the extent that you can focus on one specific task for a set block of time, you’ll accomplish that task much quicker and then move to the next task.

Not only will having set time blocks allow you to stay focused on what must be done, but it will also allow you to stay focused when you are spending time with family and friends. When you are with family and friends you’ll be fully present for them and not worry about the things on your to-do list that you need to accomplish. The time to accomplish those tasks will already have been set aside.

If you want to learn more about time blocking here’s a good article that explains it in detail. 

4. Take Regular Breaks

In a study conducted by the University of Illinois,  participants were called to focus on a task for 50 minutes, the research showed that those in the group that took two brief breaks from their main task saw no drop in their performance over time and allowed them to stay focused during the entire experiment.

By scheduling regular breaks during your tasks, you will actually accomplish more in a shorter period of time.

5. Remove Distractions

One of the biggest things that lead to multitasking is the many, many distractions that call for our attention during any given task. The most common culprit, of course, is our phone. We get those little notification dings and text messages or calls and our focus instantly is taken from our task to our phone.

Learn to put your phone away.  At a minimum, turn off notifications on your phone and be fully focused on your task for the specified time you have blocked out.

Believe me, I get it, it’s hard to put that phone away, but it is vital to being able to do more in less time so that you can spend time doing the things that matter most. Isn’t that worth putting your phone aside!

6. Make Time for the Things That Energize You

When we’re continually multitasking it’s easy for the things that are important to us to be pushed to the back of our minds. If we are honest, we usually do that which is most pressing rather than that which we say is most important. Yet, often, what is most pressing is also what is the most draining.

Put those things that are most important first! For me, having time for devotions and prayer makes all the difference in how I respond throughout my day.  So I make it a point to have these things scheduled as a regular part of my daily routine.

You need to do the first things first. Make sure you’re prioritizing those things that energize you rather than only focusing on those pressing tasks that tend to zap your energy.

For you that might be your faith, or it might be family, special friendships, exercise, or hobbies. Whatever it is, make sure you put it first and above everything else. This will ensure you have the energy and motivation to complete those pressing tasks.

If you need help setting up a daily routine, read this on setting up routines that will help you love your life!

7. Stop Trying to Do it All

Social media puts a ton of pressure on us. Everywhere we look we see blog posts, Pinterest boards, Facebook groups, and Instagram images showing us amazing women that have homes perfectly organized while running successful blogs or small businesses and giving incredible advice on organization, child-rearing, and time management.

But the truth is these are just illusions. No one really does it all.

When you stop multitasking and trying to do it all you gain more meaning in your life; you align your life with your priorities, you gain more of who you are and most importantly, you gain time for what matters most!

8. Give Yourself Grace

This is a pretty big list of things to do to help you stop multitasking. But, the truth is none of them are easy to accomplish.

For my entire adult life, I’ve worked outside of the home while being a wife, raising children, and maintaining our home. I regularly serve in my church, attend Bible studies, and volunteer in my children’s activities and schools. I have had to learn to manage my time well.

Today, some of the things on this list are habits that I really no longer even think about, but even all these years later, I still fail at others on this list. I get caught up in being busy, being easily distracted, and doing too much. I allow these things to increase my stress and overwhelm. But I am learning the importance of giving myself grace when I fail.

It’s okay if the house isn’t always clean or there’s not always something baking in the oven. By giving myself grace when I fail to manage my time well, I make sure I still focus on the things that really matter.

There will always be innumerable tasks to accomplish. Learn to stop multitasking and make it your goal to live simply, accomplish more by doing less, and above all give yourself grace.