Last time we distinguished internal vs external distractions. Today we tackle one of the biggest focus killers: task-switching.
You might call it "multitasking," but here's the truth—your brain can't actually do multiple tasks simultaneously.
Engagement Message
How many things are you trying to juggle right now?
What people call multitasking is actually rapid task-switching—your brain quickly bouncing between different activities.
Like a spotlight that can only illuminate one area at a time, your prefrontal cortex can only focus on one cognitive task at once.
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What happens to your focus when you draft emails during meetings?
Here's what happens during task-switching: your brain has to "switch gears" completely. It takes time and energy to disengage from one task and refocus on another.
This switching process happens mostly outside your awareness, but it creates measurable delays in your performance.
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What clues tell you switching tasks is mentally draining?
Scientists call this "attention residue"—part of your attention gets stuck on the previous task even after you switch.
When you jump from checking email to writing a report, some mental resources remain thinking about those emails instead of fully engaging with writing.
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What task tends to leave residue in your mind?
Research shows that task-switching can increase the time needed to complete activities by up to 25%. Those few seconds of switching time add up throughout your day.
Even more costly: the quality of your work decreases because your divided attention misses details and makes more errors.
Engagement Message
Where do you notice lower quality when you're juggling tasks?
