We hear it all the time: “I’m great at multitasking.” It’s almost worn like a badge of
honor. But true multitasking (doing two things at the exact same time) really doesn’t exist for most of us.
What does exist is something far more realistic and useful: task switching.
Depending on the situation, that can be either a helpful skill or a fast track to frustration.
What’s Really Happening in Your Brain
When you
think you’re multitasking, your brain is usually switching rapidly between tasks. It’s not doing both at once; it’s bouncing back and forth. If the tasks are simple or familiar, that switching can feel smooth and efficient. If they both require focus? That’s when things fall apart.
Think of it like flipping light switches. One or two
flips? No problem. Constant flipping, all day long? Eventually, something shorts out and that “something” is your focus.
When “Multitasking” Actually Works
There are times when doing two things together makes sense and even helps you stay
organized.
It works well when:
One task is automatic (walking, folding laundry, driving a familiar route)
The other task is light or passive (listening, thinking, planning)
You’re using one task to make the other more enjoyable
Examples:
Folding laundry while listening to a podcast
Walking while mentally planning your grocery
list
Tidying up while chatting with a friend on speaker
In these cases, you’re not asking your brain to work overtime. You’re pairing movement + light
thinking, and that can actually increase productivity.
When Multitasking Backfires
This is where things get messy and where many people feel overwhelmed without knowing why.
Multitasking is a bad idea when:
Both tasks require decision-making
One task
involves numbers, writing, or problem-solving
You’re already tired, stressed, or distracted
Examples:
Answering email while on a work call
Paying bills while listening to your favorite radio broadcast
Writing something important while talking to your spouse
This kind of switching slows you down, increases mistakes, and often leads to unfinished projects, which then become clutter, both mentally and physically.
Why This Matters for Organization
Disorganization isn’t always about too much stuff. Often, it’s about too many open loops, half-done tasks, interrupted plans, and constant mental switching.
When you give one task your attention, even for a short, focused window, you:
Finish faster
Make fewer
mistakes
Feel calmer and more in control
That sense of completion is powerful. It reduces mental clutter just as much as clearing a countertop.
A Better Way to Think About It
Instead of asking, “How can I multitask more?” try asking:
“Which
tasks pair well together and which deserve my full attention?”
A little awareness goes a long way. You don’t need to do everything at once. You just need to do the right things together and give yourself permission to focus when it matters.
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