In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands on our attention. Between work, family, and endless digital distractions – incessant advertisements trying to capture our attention, maintaining a work-life balance, running a business, maintaining client relationships, on top of keeping up with our responsibilities and having a social life – multitasking has become the default mode for many. But what if there was a more effective way to achieve your goals and reclaim your focus?
If you feel like you must juggle multiple tasks just to keep up, there’s a better way. Imagine accomplishing your daily to-do list, having energy for loved ones, excelling in your career, and feeling present and in control. The key? Monotasking.
We’ve all heard about multitasking, but has anyone told you about monotasking?
Monotasking, which is all in the name, is when you put your whole focus into one thing and do that one thing very well from start to finish. No distractions, no beeping notifications, no phone ringing, no interruptions. Engaging yourself in the task or activity you are doing is the only way to gain focus and presence, which will put you into a flow state in which you can freely create and execute the project you have to complete. This flow state can even be used as a tool to express yourself and get your ideas out of your head onto paper, which can translate into something tangible and help you transform these ideas and dreams into reality.
When was the last time you watched a movie without checking your phone? Or worked on a project without glancing at your inbox? We’ve been conditioned to believe that multitasking is the pinnacle of productivity, but research tells us a different story: it sabotages our focus and hinders performance.
“The term ‘multitasking’ was originally used to describe computers in the 1960s, not human productivity.”
The reality is, our brains aren’t wired to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. The term ‘multitasking’ was originally used to describe computers in the 1960s, not human productivity. Rather than performing tasks simultaneously, our brains rapidly switch back and forth between them. These micro-interruptions can decrease productivity by as much as 40% and significantly increase errors. Even a brief distraction can disrupt cognitive flow, leading to stress and exhaustion.
Research confirms that task-switching has a significant cognitive cost. Studies by Rogers and Monsell in the 1990s demonstrated that individuals were slower when switching between even predictable tasks compared to focusing on a single task. Further research by Rubinstein, Evans, and Meyer in 2001 showed that the time lost due to switching increases with task complexity. In essence, the more we switch, the more time we waste, rendering multitasking far less efficient.
Real Experiences: The Power of Focusing on One Thing
We often see clients struggling with the overwhelming number of self-improvement goals they want to accomplish — reading books, decluttering, eating healthier, developing better routines. The challenge is knowing where to start.
One of our clients, Anna, came to us feeling stuck and overwhelmed. She wondered if she should focus on just one goal at a time:
“I have 100+ things I feel like I need to get done to self-improve — reading books on self-confidence, decluttering to get to a state of minimalism, eating healthy, finding clothes I love instead of just wearing oversized pyjamas all day. Are you saying I should only do one? And if so, how do I convince myself to stick with it?”
Our solution was to break things down into steps and commit to monotasking. Here’s what another client, Mark, had to say about how this approach helped him regain control of his life:
“Honestly, I was a mess before. I had so much I wanted to improve, but I was all over the place. The first thing I did was figure out what was really making my life harder. I made a list and boiled it down to two key things: my messy room and my complete lack of routine. So, I decided to just focus on decluttering my room first. I made a list of everything I had to do, and then tackled one task at a time. It took about 8 days. Then, I moved on to my routine, focusing on waking up at the same time, showering, and eating regularly. Once those things were in place, it was like a weight was lifted. I could finally take on new tasks with so much more mental clarity. Monotasking really turned things around for me.”
By simplifying their focus and tackling one priority at a time, Anna and Mark were able to build sustainable habits and make meaningful progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Monotasking: The New Productivity Superpower
How to Start Monotasking
Ready to take control of your focus? Here are some strategies to cultivate your monotasking skills:
- Instead of juggling multiple tasks, dedicate specific time blocks to a single project. For deep work, reserve 2-4 hour blocks and eliminate all interruptions: emails, notifications, unrelated tabs, and unnecessary meetings.
- Strengthen your concentration by practicing single-focus activities. Read for 20-30 minutes without checking your phone. Be fully present in conversations – listen without letting your mind wander. These exercises retrain your brain to sustain focus.
- Identify and eliminate common distractions. Activate ‘Do Not Disturb’ on your phone, close unnecessary browser tabs, and disable notifications. Work in a quiet, interruption-free environment.
- A primary reason for focus struggles is the lack of true mental rest. Even during downtime, we often dwell on work or responsibilities. To improve focus, prioritize intentional rest: a walk without your phone, meditation, or simply allowing your mind to wander without pressure.
The Bottom Line
Monotasking is about more than just increased output; it’s about higher quality work and reduced stress. It’s about feeling present, in control, and engaged. By rejecting the myth of multitasking and embracing focused, intentional work, you can transform your productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.
Try it today: Choose a single task, eliminate distractions, and give it your undivided attention. You might be surprised by how much more you accomplish—and how much better you feel.