As women, and especially as mothers, we often pride ourselves on our multitasking abilities. I know I can raise my hand. I’m in that boat. However, it can often be to our detriment, and we may not even realize it. I’m sharing with you why multitasking is not all it’s cracked up to be. 

Phycologists and scientists have been warning us for years that we are not actually good at multitasking. Check out this article from a neuroscientist in the World Economic Forum as well as many others you can find online. It is often said that multitasking is:

1. Harmful to productivity
2. Stresses you out
3. Your memory may suffer
4. Some even say you’re not really multitasking, but instead quickly task-switching

But I still think I’m good at multitasking

“So that’s what scientists say, but I still think I’m good at multitasking.” But, if you stop and think about it, are we really? Let’s look at some real life examples. I have to admit, most of these examples come from my own life. 

Example 1

We often fool ourselves into thinking we can get things done faster if we do two things at once. Let’s say cooking and cleaning up the kitchen while we’re cooking. It feels good to have the kitchen mostly clean by the time dinner is on the table. However, if you break it down and look at the total time it takes you to do both cooking and cleaning, and then you do each of those tasks separately, there is a very high chance that the total time of each task done separately and added together is less time than when we try to do them at the same time. I know, it’s hard for me to believe it’s true, but often it is the truth if we really break down the times. Our brains work much faster when we are focused on only one thing at a time.

Example 2

Or, take that darn phone for example. Any time we try to talk, text, or look at our phone for any reason while doing another task, it drastically slows down the amount of time it takes us to do that other task, thus being harmful to your productivity.

Example 3

Just the other day I was finishing a phone conversation and starting an email at the same time, and I addressed the email to the person I was talking to on the phone instead of the person I was sending the email to! Talk about embarrassing. Have you ever done anything like that? Trying to multitask can lead to lots of mistakes.

Example 4

Here’s another one. I’m once again cooking dinner and cleaning the kitchen at the same time. As I’m washing dishes I forget about the meat that is browning for just a few too many minutes, and then it’s brown and crispy all on the bottom side. Not what I want in my tacos. Now, dinner is not ruined. We can still eat. But, now I’m flustered and possibly stressed, and my mood has most likely changed, and not for the better.

Multitasking is still a necessity

This post is not meant to bash us over the head and say we’re terrible moms for multitasking. In life in general, and specifically for moms, multitasking can often be a necessity.

• You need to feed the baby and still pay attention to your toddler
• If you’re driving by yourself with the kids, you need to be able to drive and respond to the children
• The phone rings and you need to answer it while also picking up a crying baby
• If you want the house to be cleaned at all, cleaning while baby wearing is the only option
• And the list could go on and on

We recognize that we can’t clean as efficiently while baby wearing, but at the moment, it’s the best option. And that’s fine, it’s a good option for that moment and season of time. You are a good mama, and you’re doing a good job for your family.

This post is meant to be a reminder of why multitasking is not all it’s cracked up to be. It is a necessity at times, but maybe not something to flaunt about how great we are at multitasking, since in reality, most all of us are not. And, it’s a reminder to be more conscious about how often we are trying to multitask. Sometimes, especially as a mom, it’s a must. But many times, we do it out of habit or because we’ve told ourselves it’s more efficient. When really, it’s the complete opposite. 

How to make a change

If multitasking has become your go-to, as it is for me, I’d encourage you to make a change one step at a time. Start with one area until you’ve made a new habit. Then move on to another area. 

Maybe you have a habit of looking at your phone/social media first thing in the morning while you’re slowly gathering your things, or blow drying your hair (or on the toilet). Slowly being the key word here. We would be much more efficient at getting ready if that phone was put away until later.  Side note, I loathe standing there doing absolutely nothing while I’m blow drying my hair. But, if I pull out my phone to fill the time, I’m not paying as much attention to the hair drying part, and I guarantee it takes longer to finish the task.

Here’s one many of us moms do often. Eating while trying to complete another task. Cleaning, writing a quick email, cleaning up the kids, etc. Try doing them separately and see what happens. If you’re convinced it will take you “too much time”, then give yourself a time limit for both tasks. I mean, when you try to eat and do something else at the same time you’re barely eating anyway, so even 10 minutes of just eating can be a luxury! You’ll end up actually eating, and you’ll do the other task better than you would have if you did it while eating.

Let’s be more conscious of the times when multitasking is a necessity, and times when it has become our default.

You are all amazing moms, and being more conscious of why multitasking is not all it’s cracked up to be can make you that much better as a mom! 

If you’re a busy, overwhelmed mom, and multitasking seems like your only answer, check out a few of these other posts to help you ditch some of that overwhelm.

Mama Take a Break

How to Ditch the Overwhelm of Motherhood

5 Cleaning Tips for Busy Moms

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