{"id":28394,"date":"2021-03-07T08:48:19","date_gmt":"2021-03-07T12:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=28394"},"modified":"2021-03-10T19:54:27","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T23:54:27","slug":"task-shifting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/task-shifting\/","title":{"rendered":"The Myth of Multitasking: It’s Task Shifting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you try to simultaneously handle incoming messages and interruptions while also completing your work? Did you know that multitasking is a myth and what you’re doing is actually task shifting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Task shifting is switching your attention back and forth between different things. The more interruptions you experience and the more often you switch your attention, the more mistakes you make and the less you get done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn how you can stay focused and avoid task shifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Stay Focused<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While technology is critical to time management\u2014it can either help you manage your time<\/a> or encourage you to waste it\u2014it has another impact on your productivity that must be managed: It can undermine your ability to stay focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have to stay focused in order to get anything important done well. But there are two big threats to your concentration: interruptions\u2014especially emails, texts, and notifications\u2014and attempts to multitask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research indicates that the habit of responding to emails, texts, and calls results in a shorter attention span and lack of focus which make it difficult or impossible to complete the kinds of tasks vital to your success<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you get email alerts, message alerts, and social media notifications, they can give you a \u201cbuzz\u201d or shot of dopamine, which spurs you to respond. It\u2019s like reacting to the sound of a slot machine alerting you to a win. When you start your day by responding to notifications and alerts, it triggers a dopamine burst and sets the tone for the rest of your day\u2014you continue to have difficulty focusing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multitasking Is <\/strong>Really Task Shifting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people believe they can multitask or simultaneously handle incoming messages, interruptions, and important tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, you can only focus on one thing at a time<\/a>. What seems like multitasking is \u201ctask shifting,\u201d or switching your attention back and forth between different things. After being interrupted at a task, it takes 17 minutes to totally refocus on the task and continue working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more interruptions you experience and the more often you switch your attention, the more mistakes you make and the less you get done. The tendency to perform task shifting can increase the time needed to complete a task<\/a> by 500 percent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, when you work without interruption, you can cut the time required to complete a task by as much as half<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more self-discipline you develop to stay focused and stop task shifting, the more you increase your efficiency, or ability to do high-level work in less time. Self-discipline and persistence are qualities of character that help you get things done and also build your self-respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a Planner<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using a planner can help you create uninterrupted time each day to complete your most important tasks. Block out time\u2014preferably in 60- to 90- minute stretches\u2014for these tasks, treat it like an appointment, and keep it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your blocked-off time doesn\u2019t have to happen at the office. Some people find it\u2019s productive to get up early and work for several hours at home, where there are fewer interruptions, before going to the office. If you travel for business purposes, you can use time at the airport and in the air to work with few interruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mapping out your time in a planner helps you build your work time around getting your most important tasks done without task shifting interruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Can Do<\/strong> to Stop Task Shifting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To minimize distractions and interruptions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n