Walk and Chew Gum: Neuroscience Shatters the Multitasking Myth

“Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?” Of course, you can! But how about juggling a phone call, responding to an email, and taking notes from a Zoom meeting simultaneously?

Why Multitasking Leads to Lower Productivity and More Mistakes

Let’s be clear: Our brains are impressive, but they’re not built to handle multiple attention-demanding tasks simultaneously, especially when it comes to cognitively demanding tasks.

That’s right, despite what we’ve been told, multitasking isn’t a real superpower, it’s a fantastic illusion. The stars of this magic show?

Imagine your brain like a busy traffic control center. The Salience Network is the diligent traffic officer at the crossroads. This officer’s job is to monitor the flow of vehicles (your tasks) and decide which one should proceed at any given moment. For example, when you’re knee-deep in a report and a text message buzzes in, your Salience Network comes into action to decide whether the text is important enough to warrant immediate attention or not.

Multitasking isn’t a real superpower.

Now, the Default Mode Network (DMN) is like the wandering mind of a daydreaming poet that takes over when the traffic officer takes a break. This network gets you lost in thoughts about what you’ll have for dinner, the vacation you’re planning next month, or that embarrassing moment in third grade. You know, the kind of thoughts that have a knack for popping up when you’re trying to concentrate!

Our brain is an energy hog, consuming 20 percent of all the calories we consume every day.

So, what’s really happening when you think you’re multitasking? We’re actually task-switching. Our brain rapidly toggles between tasks, but with each switch, there’s a cognitive cost. In fact, our brains, when not used effectively, can make us feel like we’ve run a marathon in a hurricane! Our brain is an energy hog, consuming 20 percent of all the calories we consume every day. Compare that to our heart which only uses 5 to 10% of our intake.

Ultimately, our brain is performing a high-speed juggling act, rapidly shifting attention from one task to another, orchestrated by the Salience Network. Meanwhile, the Default Mode Network is ready to interject with random thoughts whenever it gets a chance. It takes our brain a moment—just a few tenths of a second—to orient to a new task.

The Plot Thickens

In this light-speed switching and random thought interjections, the plot twist is: your performance and attention to detail on each task can actually drop! Your projects may take longer, and the error rate might go up – not exactly the productivity boost you were hoping for with multitasking, right?

Does this mean we should only do one thing at a time, always? Not necessarily. Our brains can handle multiple tasks when at least one of them is automatic or habitual, like walking and talking. The challenge arises when trying to perform multiple tasks that require conscious effort and attention.

Brain Hacks

As a manager, here are some insights you can put into practice:

Schedule Breaks:

Consider The Pomodoro Technique: Work on one task for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat this cycle, taking longer breaks every fourth cycle.

Mindfulness and Meditation:

Mindfulness is about being fully present and engaged in the current activity. It involves consciously paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgement. Meditation is a way to practice mindfulness.

Single-Tasking and Time Blocking:

Dedicate specific time slots to different tasks. Focus on one task at a time within its assigned time slot.

Foster a Distraction-Free Environment:

Help reduce the need for multitasking by creating a work environment that minimizes unnecessary distractions and interruptions.

So, the next time you’re tempted to handle multiple complex tasks at once, remember how your brain is really wired. Give it a break; focus on one task at a time. Trust me, your Salience Network and Default Mode Network will thank you!

First things first: what does grit even mean? You’ve probably heard the advice “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” attributed to coach Kunte Rockne. That quote captures the essence of grit.  The character trait of grit often refers to passion, the consistency of interest, and perseverance, the ability to endure tough times.

For instance, we’ve all experienced setbacks. They could range from struggling to learn a new skill, recovering from an injury, losing a job, or even bankruptcy.

What Does Grit Look Like?

People with high levels of Grit are confident in achieving long-term goals. They are often described as ‘determined’ and ‘hard workers’. No-pain-no-gain might be the grit motto. Gritty people tend to keep going until the work is done. They take pride in finishing what they start. Their mental focus and emotional stamina are very high. They don’t let short-term gains, negative feedback, or hectic schedules deter them. People with high grit are not discouraged easily; they see setbacks and obstacles as challenges that can be overcome with commitment and hard work. Grit, however, is not always a good thing. Gritty people are often so focused on their goals that they get blinded-sided by outside influences and have blind spots when it comes to alternative ideas. 

People with low levels of grit give up quickly. Setbacks and obstacles easily discourage them. When change happens they can find it difficult to stay on course with long-term goals. They flee at the first sign of trouble and often blame others. They start a lot of projects but get discouraged easily. 

How Grit Can Help Your Business

Why is grit something you need to look for when hiring and developing employees? The future of work is full of opportunity but the journey will be anything but certain. Perseverance and passion will be needed in abundance. These are some scenarios where employees with grit become a beneficial trait for your company.

They Understand That Good Things Take Time

Millennials have often been criticized for their need for instant gratification. While it might be true for some of them, grit had to be part of this generation’s makeup. Now in their 30s and 40s, they have endured school shootings, 9/11 terrorism, and the Great Recession…and they are now growing and thriving. It’s only human to get frustrated when we don’t see the instant rewards from our work. Contributing to a project day in and day out, and not getting recognition or confronting bureaucratic idiocy, is disheartening. Many employees may be tempted to just quit.

If your employee has grit, however, they know good things take time. Setbacks are not failures, but part of the journey.  When personal interests align with goals, it’s easier to persevere and feel that your efforts will be rewarded. People with grit stay and push through.