For a long time, the ability to multitask was lauded as the holy grail of productivity and organisation. Being able to juggle lots of balls, meet various demands – call it what you will – is regarded as the pinnacle of capability both in the workplace and, more generally, in life. 

However, experts now think that rather than flitting from one job to the next, we’d all be better off if we simply focused on one task at a time. We know, it’s radical. But hear this: research shows that people who multitask are less productive than their mono-tasking counterparts, and what we’re really doing by multitasking is creating a ‘cognitive bottleneck’ where, essentially, our tasks are queued by the brain, putting us under greater amounts of stress and cognitive load. Put simply, our brains aren’t designed to multitask. 

But single-tasking is easier said than done. How on earth are we expected to get through endless to-do lists if we’re tackling one thing at a time? Add a dose of neurodiversity into the mix, and it’s easy to see how single-tasking isn’t nearly as simple as it sounds. With this in mind, we’ve asked the experts for their top tips on how to master single-tasking. 

Single-tasking is exactly what it says on the tin: focusing on one job at a time. “Single-tasking, also known as mono-tasking, is the practice of dedicating yourself entirely to one task at a time, minimising interruptions and distractions until the task is fully completed,” explains Emily M Austen, founder of PR agency Emerge and author of productivity book Smarter: 10 Lessons For A More Productive And Less Stressed Life. “This approach allows for complete focus on the current task before moving on to the next.”

Clearly, this is in direct opposition to the idea of multitasking, which we’ve been told for decades is the sign of a truly capable and productive person. “Multitasking has been adopted by all sorts of typically high-achieving people, including mothers, entrepreneurs, professionals and those who identify as ‘busy’,” says Austen. “Historically, it has been a mark of status to be able to achieve multiple tasks at the same time, and it has also been gendered, with the old adage that ‘men can’t multitask’ becoming a go-to way to claim that men are useless.”

But times are changing, with experts now advising that the myth of multitasking could be harming our productivity, not to mention our brains. “We’ve been sold a myth that multitasking is the key to productivity, a badge of honour. The truth? Our brain works best when we focus on one task at a time,” says executive coach Beth Hope. “Single-tasking is about being present, working with intention and with your brain’s natural rhythm rather than against it.”

Single-tasking, although more in line with how our brains like to work, is a skill that doesn’t come naturally to many of us. 

“In today’s world, where everything is screaming for our immediate attention, mastering the art of single-tasking is a skill well worth investing in,” says Hope. “While multitasking can feel more productive, it splits our attention and can reduce our efficiency. Studies show that switching between tasks can increase mental fatigue and reduce accuracy, leaving us feeling scattered and overwhelmed. Single-tasking, on the other hand, supports better focus, deeper thinking and greater calm.”

We’re not multitasking, we’re task-switching 

We’re deluding ourselves if we think that multitasking is serving us well. Furthermore, some studies suggest that multitasking might even lower the IQ.  “Our brains are not designed to handle multiple tasks simultaneously,” says Austen. “Multitasking is a biological impossibility; you cannot properly focus on more than one thing at a time. We have a limited cognitive bandwidth, and therefore our current busy cycles of doing everything at once are the opposite of productive.”

Since we’re not capable of doing more than one thing at a time, what are we doing when we think we’re multitasking?

“When we attempt to switch between two or more tasks, we’re ‘task-switching’ as opposed to multitasking. Task-switching drastically reduces our focus and efficiency,” says Claire Crompton, co-founder and commercial director of TAL Agency. “Every time we make that switch, the brain needs a little time to adjust, which can cause errors, forgetfulness and delays in our train of thought. It also wears our brains out far faster, hence why you may feel overwhelmed and exhausted when trying to juggle multiple tasks at once.”

So, it seems there are clear limitations to taking pride in being able to do a million things at once, but how can we train ourselves to single-task if it doesn’t come naturally to us? The good news is that there are lots of tips and tricks we can use to guide us on our way to a clearer mind (and inbox) without sacrificing productivity. 

1. Prioritise tasks and tackle them one at a time

While this approach may seem counter-productive, you might be surprised to find how much you can achieve by working in this way.

“To single-task more effectively, accept that you cannot do more than one thing at a time,” advises Austen. “It’s vital to separate urgent tasks from important ones; prioritise them and then tackle them one at a time.”

2. Eliminate distractions and close unnecessary tabs

However you prefer to work, it’s not news that having a million tabs or devices open isn’t helpful. Most of us struggle with getting distracted, so tackle this by removing as many of these as you can in advance of starting your day. “Cut out distractions by silencing your phone, closing extra tabs, and setting up a space where you can focus,” advises Auria Heanley, a career expert and co-founder of Oriel Partners. “Try sticking to one tab or tool at a time to avoid jumping around. Your mind will wander sometimes, that’s normal, just gently bring it back.

3. Use timers or tools to maintain focus and accountability

“The pomodoro technique is a great trick: work for a short burst, then take a quick break,” says Heanley. “Give yourself a breather between tasks too, even if it’s just a quick stretch, to help your brain reset. Little habits, like putting on headphones or opening just one app, can tell your brain that it’s focus time.” Other tools, including time boxing (assigning specific times to specific tasks) and task batching (replying to emails in one go, for example), can be helpful here, too.

4. Be realistic

“Be realistic about how long tasks will take, and challenge any belief that equates self-worth with productivity,” says Austen. “Embracing single-tasking can lead to smarter work cycles and increased hyperfocus, allowing you to work through your to-do list more efficiently. Understanding that a busy life is different from a full life can help reframe how productivity is viewed.”

5. Don’t be too hard on yourself 

 Last but not least, accept that working in this way will take some effort and time to get used to. “Most importantly, don’t stress about getting it perfect,” says Heanley. “Single-tasking is a habit you build bit by bit, not something you need to nail straight away.” Let’s face it, no one ever became more productive by giving themselves a hard time, right? 

Images: Getty; Adobe