I’m a chronic multitasker. In fact, I’m writing this right now while I have two other Google Docs tabs open for other things I want to write about. But multitasking doesn’t work.
If multitasking worked, I’d have tons of articles on my blog and even more functional planning videos on my YouTube channel. I would be able get so much stuff done because I can do so many things at once.
Multitasking Doesn’t Help Me Get Things Done
But I don’t get things done. The last time I updated my blog was in April. It is now the end of December. And the day this post goes live — if it ever does — is undetermined.
I have a huge backlog of blog post ideas. I have a huge backlog of video ideas. I have a huge backlog of printables ideas. There are countless photos and video clips in my camera roll just waiting to become great social media posts. I want to send a thoughtful newsletter to connect more deeply with the people that I’ve become friends with through my YouTube and Instagram community. There is no shortage of ideas.
So why can’t I get more of the stuff that matters to me done? It’s because multitasking doesn’t work.
I had an ah-ha lightbulb moment this morning, which ironically prompted me to open this new tab and start writing, thus perpetuating the multitasking cycle (sigh).
The sudden realization is that I try to do too many things at once. And it has become so ingrained into my processes that I don’t even notice it. Here’s why multitasking doesn’t work.
Once I switch my focus to the other thing, I lose steam on that first thing. Even worse, I get stuck in this train of doing that next thing that popped into my brain “before I forget about it.”
Today’s Example for why Multitasking Doesn’t Work
Take this morning, for example. I woke up early with the intention to get some video editing done before my family woke up and it’s time to switch over to Mom Mode. This was a task I decided on the night before during my evening routine.
I feel great that I’m sticking to my routines. Last night, I set myself up for success by choosing a focus for today. But first, coffee!
As the coffee brews, I check my phone. Because I can’t just stand and wait. I must use my time wisely and be productive, after all.
On my phone I see a great Facebook group post that inspires me to write. So I immediately open a new document on my phone and start typing some thoughts so I won’t forget.
With my hot coffee poured and ready just how I like it, I tiptoe quietly to my office to get started on some work. Boot up the computer. Check my email. Oh, there’s a coupon code in my inbox. Do I need anything while I can get a good deal? Click.
I open that Google doc I started earlier in a new tab so I don’t forget about it. Click back to the shop with the coupon code.
Scrolling and shopping, I happily fill my cart. Maybe I need these things, maybe I don’t. Who cares — I have a coupon code!
Maybe I should check my budget app to see how much fun money I have left. A new transaction cleared my bank. I need to categorize it and assign some money to different financial goals. Wait, don’t I need to allocate a little more to that category next month? Check my planner.
That thing I’m thinking about isn’t scheduled on the monthly calendar. Flip through my notebook to see where I may have written something down about it. I come to the page where I have blog post ideas written down.
Open a new tab. Type the title to a new blog post and a few quick thoughts before I forget. I’m writing about my book club. I should listen to that audiobook while I work so I can make sure to finish it in time for the meeting. Open the app on my phone and press play.
I have some notifications for messages and comments. I need to answer these when I can devote my undivided attention to them, but let me just scan real quick for anything urgent. I answer a time-sensitive Instagram message quickly before I forget.
My friend posted a Reel about her new thing she’s doing and I leave an encouraging comment. The next Reel is one that uses that hilarious sound “Can I pet that dooooogggg???!!” and I’m a sucker for that one (why is it so funny?!).
My husband walks in to kiss me good morning. We start talking about plans for today and the upcoming week. I show him the “Can I pet that dooooogggg???!!” Reel because he doesn’t use social media and has never seen it.
That reminds me that I need to see if that stray cat I’m trying to adopt is outside waiting for food. I go downstairs and look out the window. He’s not there but I notice some of my potted plants have been blown sideways from the wind. Maybe they need water since they’re light enough to be blown over.
By now my kid has woken up and comes to find me to see if I was planning to make breakfast. I’m making corned beef hash with eggs and toast. Opening the fridge reminds me I need to take some meat out of the freezer for dinner tomorrow. And now it’s time to switch to Mom Mode.
Multitasking Wasted all My Time
Remember that video I wanted to edit? Yeah, me neither.
The blog posts are all in Google Drive purgatory.
The coupon code will have expired by the time I remember my cart at that store.
I still have no idea what that thing was I needed to save some money for.
I forgot about the audiobook as soon as it auto-paused when I saw those Reels on Instagram.
Most of the comments and messages remain unanswered.
The plants didn’t get watered or even picked up and set upright.
My family is fed and happy but my food got cold because I ended up trying to get most of the dishes loaded into the dishwasher before I sat down. Reheated eggs give me the ick so I scraped the egg on my plate into the stray cat’s dish outside in case he shows up. I’ll have to remember to check on it later so the eggs don’t get nasty.
Did I take the meat out of the freezer?
Multitasking Cancelled Out my Previous Planning
I went to bed last night feeling so hopeful and optimistic about my productivity for today:
- I followed my routine!
- I made the plan and chose a focus!
- I didn’t hit the snooze button!
But all of my perfectly crafted routines and plans crumbled when I started multitasking. Because multitasking doesn’t work! If I just grabbed my coffee and started editing that video, I would have had it done and ready for uploading. But I didn’t even start up my editing software. And none of the things that I “worked on” (using that term sooooo loosely here) were even on my list for the day.
I had a good 2 hours of quiet alone time that I had decided ahead of time to use for work. I wasted it by multitasking. But multitasking doesn’t work.
And now my coffee is cold.
