I thought multitasking made me more productive. I was wrong.
Like most people, I used to pride myself on multitasking. Answering emails while making lunch, scrolling my phone during conversations, folding laundry while helping with homework-I thought I was getting more done in less time.
But was I?
For one week, I challenged myself to stop multitasking completely-to focus on one task at a time and see what happened.
The results shocked me.
The Rules: No Multitasking for 7 Days
For a full week, I committed to:
- No checking my phone while doing something else.
- No working on multiple tasks at once.
- No watching TV while eating, cleaning, or scrolling.
- Giving full attention to one thing at a time.
The result: I thought I'd get less done. Instead, I felt more productive, focused, and way less stressed.
What I Learned (And Why It Surprised Me)
I expected to feel frustrated, like I was constantly holding myself back. But instead, I felt more in control, more present, and-surprisingly-more productive. It turns out, doing less at once actually helped me get more done.
1. My Brain Felt Less Cluttered
What I expected:
- I'd feel bored or restless focusing on just one thing.
- My brain would wander without multiple inputs.
What actually happened:
- My thoughts felt clearer.
- I wasn't constantly mentally juggling five things at once.
The result: I felt more in control of my day instead of reacting to everything.
2. I Wasn't Actually Faster When I Multitasked
What I expected:
- I'd get less done by doing one thing at a time.
- I'd fall behind on work, chores, and errands.
What actually happened:
- Tasks took less time when I focused on them fully.
- I wasn't constantly switching between things (which slowed me down more than I realized).
The result: I actually finished tasks faster when I did them one at a time.
3. My Conversations Improved Instantly
What I expected:
- I'd notice no real difference in interactions.
- I was already a "good listener."
What actually happened:
- I realized how often I was only half-listening while doing something else.
- I had better, deeper conversations because I was fully present.
The result: My relationships felt stronger just from being more intentional.
4. I Stopped Feeling So Rushed
What I expected:
- I'd feel frustrated by how long tasks took.
- I'd be anxious about "wasting time."
What actually happened:
- I felt less frantic and more in control.
- Focusing on one thing at a time actually made my day feel slower (in a good way).
The result: I wasn't just getting things done-I was enjoying the process more.
5. I Got WAY Less Distracted
What I expected:
- I'd still get sidetracked constantly.
- I wouldn't notice a big change in focus.
What actually happened:
- Without multitasking, distractions lost their power.
- I got through my to-do list without stopping every five minutes.
The result: My focus skyrocketed, and I finished work in way less time.
The Small Changes That Made a Big Difference
After just one week, I knew I didn't want to go back to constant multitasking. Here's what helped me keep my focus in check:
- Used a timer - 25 minutes of focused work, 5-minute breaks.
- Put my phone on silent - No more constant pings.
- Created "focus zones" - One task at a time, no jumping around.
- Started using a to-do list - Prioritized instead of scattered thinking.
The result: I still get just as much done-but with half the stress.
Will I Keep Doing This? Absolutely.
Multitasking made me feel productive, but it was actually draining me.
Focusing on one thing at a time made everything easier, calmer, and more efficient.
If you're always juggling too much, try going single-tasking for a week. You might be shocked at how much better your days feel.
Would you ever try this challenge? Drop a comment with your multitasking habits-I'd love to hear!
Suggestions on how to do this with littles? I’ve got an almost 5 year old and 3 year old twins (all boys) and I feel like I’ve got to stop what I’m doing every 30 seconds to stop someone from getting into something they’re not supposed to or hurting their brother or telling them for the umpteenth time to clean up, it’s always something. Even if I stay focused on one thing (which is my preference), I still have constant interruptions with the kids.
Oh, I completely get that! When my kids were little, it felt like every time I tried to do anything—even something simple—I’d immediately hear “Mom!” followed by some kind of chaos. You’re right: there’s no such thing as uninterrupted focus in that season.
What helped me wasn’t aiming for perfect single-tasking, but micro single-tasking—finding little pockets of focus in between the interruptions. For example:
When I was making lunch, I focused just on that instead of also trying to check messages.
When the kids were happily playing (for five whole minutes 😅), I’d use that small window to do one focused task instead of starting five things.
I also started building “kid-involved focus” moments—like folding laundry with them, or cooking while they stirred something safe.
It’s less about avoiding interruptions (because that’s impossible right now!) and more about training your brain to switch gears gently instead of constantly juggling ten things. You’re still doing a version of single-tasking—you’re just doing it in a toddler zone, which deserves a medal all on its own.