One thing at a time

Studies show that multitasking is overrated. Instead, you can be highly effective by learning how to focus on being a serial tasker

How can anyone focus on any one thing in today’s world? It seems near impossible, and yet people must be doing so, or there would be no success stories anymore! A lot has been said in praise of multitasking, but the truth is that the world’s most successful people have never been multitaskers; they are people who have concentrated on their work and goals with intense passion and deadly focus. Do you think Sachin Tendulkar could have made his centuries if he had not had single-minded focus? Could successful industrialists make their billions if they had been busy multitasking? Would great authors manage their magnum opuses doing several things at a time?

The mantra of successful people has always been ‘focus’. One thing at a time, as our elders taught us. And now science backs this intuitive wisdom. Neuroscientists have found that the human brain isn’t equipped to efficiently perform more than one task at a time. Says Dr Rene Marois, associate professor at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, US, “People always address problems one at a time, though they may do it so fast, it feels like multitasking! What we are actually doing while multitasking is forcing the brain to switch from one task to another, which naturally results in loss of focus, time and energy.” Comparative brain scan studies show that multitasking slows down our reaction time, resulting in more accidents, less efficiency and socially-unfriendly behaviour.

The human brain is biologically wired to pay attention to new stimuli — be it an unopened email, a new tweet, a response on Facebook, a phone call, or even a car passing by as we sit working in front of the window. It comes naturally to us to lose focus on the activity at hand and be distracted by anything new. Experts say that when we multitask, we are actually just giving ourselves “a fix”, because any new stimulation releases the feel-good neurochemical dopamine, which gives us a natural addictive kick. And so, in the middle of writing an article, I will be tempted to check the new mail that dropped into my mailbox, or go back to the article I left open on another window, or be distracted by the new book that sits waiting on my table. While cooking, I will talk on the phone or answer an SMS.

In order to be effective, we need to fight, rather than feed this proclivity to be seduced by the new. One by one, is the real mantra. Be a serial tasker, rather than a multitasker. Like with anything useful, developing focus too needs commitment and practice.

Prioritise tasks

Build focus by setting aside exclusive time to deal with challenging tasks

In that space of time, turn off the TV, log out of your email, shut down multiple windows on your computer and switch off your phone. Let people know you are busy and do not want to be disturbed.

Try and understand your most and least productive periods. Some work best early morning, while others work better later in the day or late at night. Slot important tasks for your natural peak period.

Do not allow your mind to wander; rein it in consciously and strictly to focus on the task at hand.

Meditation is a great tool in building focus. Keeping the body still too helps.

Do not stress your brain by carrying too many mental notes; put them down on paper or store them digitally. Check them once in a while.

Take breaks when your mind begins to wander; keep your mind challenged with new interests and hobbies in your spare time.

Your less productive time period should be used to check and answer emails and to engage in social networking.

You need not read and respond to every SMS immediately. Effective people set time aside once a day for this task.

-TOI

Vinita Dawra Nangia