Why I Stopped Multitasking — And Got More Done

For years, I thought multitasking was a skill. Something to be proud of. If I could answer emails while on a Zoom call, edit a document while eating lunch, and listen to a podcast while doing chores, wasn’t that peak productivity?

I wore my ability to do five things at once like a badge of honor. It felt efficient. Fast. Impressive.

But over time, something felt off. I was constantly distracted, mentally exhausted, and rarely satisfied with the quality of my work. My days were packed, but my progress felt hollow. Like I was always busy, but not really moving.

Eventually, I asked a simple question: What if multitasking isn’t helping me get more done? What if it’s the reason I feel so behind?

That one question changed everything.

The Illusion of Efficiency

Most of us believe multitasking saves time. We think we’re outsmarting our schedule by doing multiple things in parallel.

But neuroscience disagrees. Studies show that the human brain doesn’t actually perform tasks simultaneously. Instead, it switches rapidly between tasks, forcing your mind to constantly reorient itself. That switching comes at a cost.

It’s called “context switching,” and it drains more energy than you think. Each time your brain pivots from task A to task B, it uses mental fuel to get back up to speed. The result? Slower performance, more mistakes, and a higher chance of burnout.

I started noticing this in small ways. I’d open my inbox to check one thing, then forget why I was there. I’d start editing an article, only to be pulled into a Slack message, then lose my train of thought. The constant mental gear-shifting left me tired and scattered.

The Turning Point

What finally made me change?

One afternoon, I spent four hours “working” on a project. At least that’s what my calendar said. But when I looked at what I’d actually done, it was barely two paragraphs.

I had toggled between six tabs, answered a dozen unrelated messages, skimmed through three articles, and checked my phone more times than I could count. I was active, sure. But effective? Not even close.

That day, I decided to try the opposite: single-tasking.

I closed every unnecessary tab. Put my phone in another room. Turned off notifications. And focused on just one task: writing.

In two focused hours, I wrote more—and better—than I had in the past two days.

It wasn’t just the output. It was the experience. I felt calmer. More in control. And weirdly, more energized afterward.

What Changed When I Stopped Multitasking

Let me be clear: it wasn’t easy. Multitasking had been my default mode for years. My brain craved the dopamine of bouncing between tabs and tasks.

But once I started single-tasking, the benefits stacked up quickly:

1. Deeper Work

When you’re not switching tasks, your brain can enter a state of focus researchers call “flow.” That’s where your best ideas come from. That’s where you actually create, not just react.

2. Less Mental Fatigue

I used to end every day feeling fried. Now, even after several hours of focused work, I feel clearer and more capable. Because I’m not depleting my cognitive battery with constant switches.

3. Higher-Quality Output

My writing improved. My decisions felt sharper. Even small tasks like organizing files or responding to emails became smoother when done with full attention.

4. More Satisfaction

There’s something incredibly satisfying about starting and finishing one thing at a time. It gives your day a clear shape—a rhythm that builds confidence.

How I Rewired My Work Habits

I didn’t become a single-tasking monk overnight. I still slip. But these small shifts made a huge difference:

• Time-blocking:

Instead of leaving my day open-ended, I assign blocks of time to specific tasks. 10-11 AM = writing. 2-3 PM = emails. This helps prevent overlap and keeps me honest.

• Batching similar tasks:

I group things like meetings, admin work, or content edits into specific parts of the day. Switching between unrelated types of tasks is more draining than you think.

• Using full-screen mode:

It sounds silly, but working with a single app in full-screen cuts down on tab temptation. Out of sight, out of mind.

• Mindful breaks:

Instead of snacking on distractions, I take intentional breaks: a walk, a stretch, a few deep breaths. They actually reset my focus.

What I Learned (And Why It Might Help You)

We live in a world that celebrates doing more. But multitasking isn’t more. It’s noise.

The truth is, most of us aren’t short on time. We’re short on attention. And attention is where your results come from.

You don’t need a fancy system. You don’t need to track every minute. Sometimes, the most powerful shift you can make is this:

Do one thing. Do it fully. Then move on.

It sounds simple. But in a distracted world, it’s become a superpower.

So if you’ve been feeling scattered, drained, or just stuck in a cycle of “busy but not better,” try it. For one day. Choose one task. Shut out the noise. See what happens.

You might be surprised how much more you can do—when you stop trying to do it all at once.