Think you're great at multitasking? -2

If you’re thinking “this probably just applies to other people” — wrong. In fact, studies show that people who think they are good at multitasking generally have a lower capacity for simultaneous thought. It’s a rationalization fest. Frequent offenders are bad at ignoring distractions, but instead of trying to improve their ability to focus, they convince themselves that multitasking increases productivity.

 

Maybe you’re wondering, “if multitasking is bad, why do we have the urge to do it?” The answer likely has to do with how our brains evolved.

 

Back in prehistoric days, any new piece of information might be critical — a rustling in the bushes, for example, could mean a tiger was about to leap. Thus, it was adaptive for our brains to seek out and pay attention to new information. Unfortunately, what was once an evolutionary advantage has become a distraction. In today’s modern society where our lives are rarely on the line, the ceaseless onslaught of information has the potential to cripple us. Our brains aren’t equipped to handle the sensory overload.

Here’s what to do about it.

Start by blocking out a period of time to focus. Eliminate as many distractions as possible: Put away your phone, turn off extra computer screens, shut down your email if you have to. Don’t try to mono-task by willpower alone; it’s too hard to fight the thirst for new information. Instead, prevent the urge by removing temptation. If you find yourself unable to concentrate, try taking a short break and move around. Increasing blood flow to your brain can help restore focus.

 

One final word of advice: Please, please put away your phone when you drive. Mute it, put it out of reach. (Hands-free headsets don’t help; it’s the cognitive demands of conversation that causes the distraction.) Being able to pay attention to your driving while on the phone is another delusion — the work of David Stayer and colleagues shows that it causes drivers to miss as much as half of the things in front of them. Multitasking while driving is just plain dangerous.

 

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