The fast pace of our daily lives and the ubiquity of modern technology mean that we often feel the need to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. That’s multitasking. However, if we look at how the brain works, multitasking is not always as beneficial as we might think.
About multitasking
When we multitask, our brain cannot fully handle two or more tasks at the same time. One of the key principles of how the brain works is ‘sequential processing’, so our brains switch quickly between different tasks rather than completing them all at once. This switching is called “task-switching”, which occurs in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Note that parallel processing exists, but it is not sustainable in the long term, so it is not relevant to our current topic.
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the frontal lobe responsible for higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, attention and task coordination. During multitasking, the prefrontal cortex constantly directs attention from one task to another, which requires the expenditure of mental energy. Each shift wastes time and energy, which slows down work and increases the chance of making mistakes.
Research suggests that multitasking can have long-term detrimental effects on our brains, reducing working memory and attentional control, making it harder to concentrate in the long term.
Focused attention
In contrast, focused attention, where our brain concentrates on a single task, is much more effective. The brain is tuned to a clear, one-way task, so it uses less energy and works faster.
Neuroscience shows that when we focus on a single task, different parts of our brain can work together in a more coordinated way. In addition to the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus (which is involved in memory processing) is more actively involved. This helps to improve longer-term memory and process new information more effectively.
Focused attention also increases the brain’s neuroplasticity, the ability to make new connections between neurons. This helps to form new habits and improve the learning process. Practicing this type of attention improves cognitive performance, reduces stress and also improves mental health.
Multitasking or focused attention?
While multitasking is not ideal for complex tasks, there are situations where it can be handy. While doing simple, routine tasks – like listening to a podcast while washing up – our brains can work in parallel. However, when it comes to work that requires serious attention and creativity, focused attention always produces better results.
So in everyday life, it’s worth making a conscious switch between multitasking and focused attention.
How to improve our focus?
There are a number of techniques that can help you focus, such as mindfulness meditation techniques, time management techniques where the brain concentrates intensely for periods of time and then takes short breaks, and simplifying your tasks into smaller steps to reduce the need to multitask. All of this can be easily found on the internet in simple, more specific exercises that everyone can choose from and try out.
Summary:
- While multitasking can be tempting to get everyday tasks done faster, it is less efficient for our brains in the long run.
- Practicing focused attention not only improves the quality of our work, but also contributes to our mental well-being and helps maintain our cognitive abilities.
Zselyke Nagy
I’ve been working in HR field at companies for 27 years, 24 out of these as HR manager. I gained experience in companies of all types and sizes, from large American multinationals to large Hungarian companies, from FMCG to agriculture and the IT Telco sector.
Organization Development Consultant, Leadership Expert, Facilitator and Business Simulations Trainer. Partner and Consultant at Flow Group in Central Asia. Professionally helps people and organizations to reinvent and transform through changes to build lasting impact.
Co-Founder of FLOW Group International, I combine a passion for future trends and innovative approaches to life improvement, with expertise in People, Organizations and Culture Development.
Ian’s talent is translating complexity into simplicity. This applies especially well in his chosen areas of M&A, Leadership, Executive Coaching, Executive Team Alignment, Change Management & Strategy which he performs all over the world.
I am a qualified economist and have an MBA degree. After 7 years in HR consulting I spent 4 years in senior management positions working for ICT companies. I returned to consulting in the spring of 2005 as an associate managing director of Creanova; I work as a partner and senior consultant/trainer of the Flow Group.
Starting out at the University of Economics and most of all with the priceless experience AIESEC provided to me in as a student, I can now look back on a multifarious, colorful and successful career of 20 years.
Economist by education, Organization Development consultant by profession, one of the founding partners of Flow. I had my share of middle and top-level management exercise in multinational environment at the early years of my professional career. During the 35 years gained experience in the airline and courier industries, built a few successful consulting organizations, steered a school and a technology start-up. Experienced in leadership on the practical and the development sides as well. Recently I’ve enjoyed working in agile leadership and Organizational Network Analysis.
I am an organization development consultant, a senior trainer, a founding member and the managing partner of the Flow Group. I have been into organization development for 15 years and have 20 years of experience with running training courses.
Andrea Frenyo
