Multitasking is something that most of us have gone through somewhere at some point in our lives. Imagine you are at your workplace on a busy Monday, then the moment you were taking a short break from work then this is the time your email gets more jobs you should work on coming in. You will therefore need to sit down then open multiple tabs on your computer at your work station so that you start work on the jobs simultaneously. What you will be doing at that time on your computer is called multitasking. There are very many situations where you might find yourself multitasking, which in simple terms, is described as the process of doing more than one task at the same time simultaneously. However advantageous it can be, there are also several disadvantages associated with multitasking.
Disadvantages Of Multitasking
Multitasking is the process where someone works on more than one task at a time simultaneously. However good this can be, there have been studies done that show multitasking is a myth and that there are a lot of disadvantages associated with it than advantages. When you are multitasking you are not getting more done, but you will be doing less, getting stressed out more, and your performance will be worse than that of people working on single tasks at a time. The three are just some of the few cons of multitasking, more cons are going to be described in this piece of writing. After reading this article, it will be upon you to choose whether to multitask or work on single tasks now that you know all the cons of multitasking.
Understanding the context of multitasking
In layman’s language, what multi tasking means is simply the art of working over numerous functions at the same time, or in other words working like a supercomputer. Another scenarios are where an individual is juggling several jobs at the same time or if they are switching between one task and another, this makes it to be either an advantage or a disadvantage, but, we will see some of the disadvantages of this inside this article.
There are three forms of multitasking, that might emerge, and people need to know.
- Multitasking can be an attempt where you perform two or more tasks simultaneously.
- Multitasking can also be an attempt when one switches forth and back between different tasks.
- Lastly, multitasking is also when one performs several jobs in rapid succession.
What are the shortcomings of Multitasking?
Everything on this planet has its positives and its negatives. In multitasking, you will get some pros and cons. Some pros of multitasking include increased efficiency, productivity, resilience, flexibility and adaptivity. However, although good multitasking can be, it also has a lot of shortcomings, some of which are broadly discussed in this writing because this is the main reason for writing this article, the disadvantages of multitasking.
Here are some of the shortcomings associated with people who will always be multitasking in their lives.
The human brain is not a fan of a supercomputer
The human brain is not a supercomputer; therefore, multitasking might lead to problems with the functioning of your brain. Multitasking means you will be overworking your body and brain. You will be exhausted faster than expected, and you might end up not completing your tasks on time.
More tasks might lead to more mistakes
It is not very easy to work on more than one task and be 100% perfect, however careful and keen you might be. Remember you are not a robot or a computer, and working on more tasks at the same time might lead to more mistakes, the output of your work might not prove to be of much use to you or your company.
Multitasking affects your short-term memory
One of the most adverse effects of multitasking is when your brain is affected. The art of multitasking might affect your short-term memory. You might find yourself forgetting simple things like names and even being mixed up on the tasks you are multitasking on. Affecting your short-term memory is something that no one will want to do.
This is explained, in a research study published in 2011, by the University of California, that shows how multitasking impacts short-term memory.
Multitasking leads to anxiety
You will be more anxious when working on more tasks at the same time than when you are just relaxed and working on a task one after you finish the other. Anxiety might also increase when you are rushing from one task to another and working quickly so that you finish the jobs earlier.
Multitasking inhibits your creativity
This is so obvious that when you are working on more than one task at the same time, your brain will be hindered from thinking creatively. When you have diverted all your attention to many tasks simultaneously you will not have a working memory in your brain to come up with new ideas and concepts and this will truly inhibit creativity in your work.
This leads to time wastage
When working in a multitasking way, you will for sure waste your time instead of saving it. For instance, in a scenario where you are working on an easy task and a hard task at the same time, you might end up wasting your precious time taking the easy task, and you could have used this time to tackle the hard task first then devote the remaining time to tackle this easy task quickly and for a short period.
Multitasking leads to increased stress levels
The stress levels will be increased because working on a million tasks at once and you are not a supercomputer, might lead you to start thinking, about when you will finish them, thus bringing the deadline pressure hence leading to stress. The stress might be worse when you do not finish the many tasks on time and realize that you wasted your time instead of saving it.
This leads to a lack of focus
Working on more jobs at the same time might cause you to lose your focus on the jobs. It is just simple, just do one task at a time, finish it and move to the next, this way your mind will not lose focus on the tasks.
Causes distraction
Juggling and switching from one task to another, there would be a lot of distractions occurring in your work. However, careful you are your brain cannot be 100% effective when you are working on more than one job at the same period.
Multitasking might create a time gap
A time gap might occur whenever you are working on multiple tasks at the same time. Time gaps might prove to be so strenuous and nobody wants this to happen in their work. To avoid time gaps in your work avoid multi tasking.
Conclusion
Multitasking is the performance of more than one task at the same time. Many people multitask nowadays. However, good this can be it also has its shortcomings. The advantages of multitasking include increased efficiency, increased productivity and increased resilience. The disadvantages of multitasking include the following, creation of time gaps, creation of anxiety, loss of short-term memory, leads to more mistakes, and multitasking might inhibit your creativity. Based on the pros and cons it is still your own choice to choose when to multitask and when not to.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is multitasking?
Multitasking in simple terms is the performance of more than one job at the same time simultaneously.
- Is multitasking advantageous or disadvantageous?
Multitasking has its pros and cons and it is upon you to choose whether to do it or not, based on the pros and cons.
- What are some of the cons of multitasking?
Some of the cons of multitasking include creativity inhibition, creation of anxiety, and time gaps, and it might lead to more mistakes and waste of your precious time.
