Why Your Brain Hates Multitasking (And What Works Better)

There was a time when I wore multitasking like a badge of honor. Picture this: three browser tabs open, Slack pinging in the background, my phone buzzing with notifications, and me pounding away at an article draft with a lukewarm latte by my side. I felt unstoppable, almost superhuman.

But here’s the kicker—I wasn’t actually getting more done. My brain felt scrambled, my mistakes doubled, and deadlines slipped through my fingers like sand. That was my first wake-up call that multitasking isn’t the magical productivity tool we think it is. Spoiler: it’s a myth.

So let’s break down why multitasking feels good but actually works against you—and how to reset your approach for real efficiency.

Why Multitasking Feels Productive

I’ll be honest, the rush of multitasking is addictive. Jumping between emails, spreadsheets, and meetings felt like I was conquering the world. But psychologists explain it’s not superhuman efficiency—it’s dopamine.

1. The Illusion of Progress

Every time we tick something off, our brain rewards us with dopamine, a little “you did it!” hit. The problem? We confuse that chemical rush with true accomplishment.

2. Task-Switching, Not Multitasking

Cognitive psychologist David Meyer explains we’re not actually doing two things at once—we’re switching. Constantly. And those switches cost us as much as 40% of our efficiency.

3. My Personal “Busy But Broke” Moment

Early in my career, I juggled three client reports at once. I submitted them all on time—yay!—but the quality was garbage. Two revisions later, I realized I wasn’t saving time; I was digging myself deeper.

The Biggest Myths About Multitasking

We’ve all heard the clichés: “I work best juggling multiple things” or “Multitasking saves me time.” Truth is, the science says otherwise.

1. Multitasking Isn’t Efficient

A Stanford study found heavy multitaskers are worse at filtering distractions. Translation: they waste energy juggling irrelevant details instead of focusing on what matters.

2. It Doesn’t Save Time

I once tried answering emails while on a Zoom meeting. Guess what happened? I missed half the conversation, sent a confusing email, and wasted another hour cleaning it up. Time saved? Zero.

3. No One’s Truly Good at It

Some people claim to be “super-taskers.” But research out of the University of London shows they’re basically unicorns. For the rest of us mortals, performance tanks when we double (or triple) up.

What’s Really Happening in Your Brain

So why do we feel exhausted after a “productive” day of multitasking? It comes down to cognitive load.

1. Reorientation Costs

Every switch between tasks requires reloading context—like opening a new file in your brain. Neuroscientists call this “reorientation,” and it eats away at mental energy.

2. Brain Fatigue

Dr. John Medina, author of Brain Rules, explains that multitasking makes us tired faster. Each switch is like hitting refresh on your computer until it slows to a crawl.

3. My Zoom-Day Disaster

Once, I thought I could write an article draft while bouncing between back-to-back video calls. The result? Typos galore, missed notes, and one very annoyed client. That day, I finally learned: focus isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Real-Life Costs of Multitasking

Here’s the thing about errors—they don’t just cost pride; they cost time.

1. The Error Loop

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant points out that fixing multitasking mistakes takes longer than doing the task right the first time. Trust me, nothing’s more frustrating than doubling your workload because you wanted to “save time.”

2. The Stress Tax

Juggling multiple tasks spikes cortisol, the stress hormone. That explains why I used to end my multitasking marathons with tension headaches and irritability.

3. My Turnaround Moment

After one disastrous day of missed details, I tried blocking time for deep focus. Within a week, my output improved and I actually felt calmer. That shift sold me on ditching multitasking for good.

Better Ways to Work (What Experts Actually Recommend)

The good news? There are smarter strategies to get things done without burning out your brain. These three shifted my entire workday.

1. Embrace Mindfulness

Mindfulness doesn’t mean chanting mantras on a mountaintop. For me, it looks like five minutes of deep breathing before tackling a big project. Focusing my attention makes me sharper, not slower.

2. Prioritize Like a Pro

The Eisenhower Matrix—sorting tasks by urgency vs. importance—changed my workflow. Suddenly I wasn’t wasting prime brainpower on things that could wait until Friday.

3. Time Blocking

Instead of cramming everything into the same hour, I assign blocks: emails in the morning, writing in the afternoon, admin at the end of the day. This keeps my focus aligned and errors way down.

Redefining Productivity

Once I stopped glorifying multitasking, I realized true productivity isn’t about juggling—it’s about precision. Focused single-tasking helped me get more done in less time, with better results and way less stress.

Multitasking doesn’t make you a superhero—it makes you a spinning top that eventually crashes. So if you’re still chasing that myth, maybe it’s time to rethink your approach. Productivity is about better, not more.

The Smart Sheet

• Task-switching isn’t time-saving; it burns energy and increases mistakes.
• Most “supertaskers” are fictional. Focused single-tasking is more effective.
• Use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks—urgency vs. importance.
• Reorienting after a task switch burns more mental fuel than you think.
• Refine productivity by embracing time-blocking and mindfulness techniques.

One Task at a Time, Big Wins Over Time

Here’s my takeaway: doing one thing well beats doing three things badly. Once I gave myself permission to slow down and focus, my work improved, my stress dropped, and I actually felt present in my day.

So next time you’re tempted to answer texts during a meeting or split your screen three ways, pause. Take a breath. Pick one task. You’ll not only finish faster—you’ll finish better.