If you’re like most people I know, you lead a very busy life. And many of us secretly pride ourselves on being skilled at multi-tasking – how else are we going to get everything done?!
We juggle meetings, emails, reports, calls, household tasks, and side projects, thinking that doing multiple things at once is the ultimate productivity hack.
But does it really work? Or does it just make us feel busy without actually achieving anything? Or worse, leave us rattled with errors galore?
If you’ve ever accidentally hit ‘reply all’ and sent an email to more people than you meant to because you were on a call at the same time (I speak from experience), Steve Uzzell’s wisdom will probably ring true:
“Multi-tasking is merely the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time.” – Steve Uzzell
Stop feeling busy and start being effective
In workshops or 1:1 coaching sessions, I often use a simple exercise. I ask participants to write the phrase “Multi-tasking is a myth,” and I time them while they do it.
Usually, it only takes a few seconds.
Then I ask them to repeat the task while simultaneously writing the alphabet from A to Q, alternating between the two tasks – “M” for multi-tasking, then “A” for the first letter in the alphabet, then back to “U” in multi-tasking, then “B” for the second letter, and so on until both lines are complete.
Before starting, most people guess it will take maybe double the time – and it would if they were writing one line then the other. But when written simultaneously, it often takes four to five times as long. Sometimes participants even give up out of frustration as they struggle to remember the alphabet they’ve known since primary school.
This activity highlights a simple truth: our beautiful, complex brains are not wired for multi-tasking. We cannot do two cognitive tasks at the same time. As the phrase suggests, multi-tasking is a myth. What actually happens is rapid task-switching – which costs time, energy, focus, and clarity.
If you’ve ever tried to complete a report while checking constant email notifications, or cook while helping a child with homework, you know the feeling. Studies show frequent task-switching can reduce productivity by up to 40%, while increasing errors, stress, and cognitive fatigue (American Psychological Association, 2006).
So what can you do when you’ve got all the things to do – and no time to do them all?
As tempting as it is to try and do them together, you’re far better off focusing on one task at a time. Easier said than done, I know.
Be courageous and focus like a pro – one task at a time
It sounds simple – just do one task at a time – but single-focus work is more than a productivity trick. It’s a skill that takes practice, and it often takes courage to give yourself permission to focus fully. The good news? Every time you do it, you strengthen your focus muscle and make it easier next time.
In a world overflowing with notifications, pings, and ‘urgent’ interruptions, it takes discipline and self-leadership to focus deeply on one thing at a time. It’s not always easy – and for some, focusing deeply takes extra effort – but building this skill is one of the most valuable things you can do for sustainable high performance.
Start small – build big results
If deep focus feels daunting, begin with a 10–15 minute block on a single task. Even five minutes of full-focus work is better than thirty minutes of scattered effort. I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much gets done in just a few focused minutes. Then gradually extend these blocks.
Single-focus work is like a muscle – it strengthens with consistent practice.
One practical approach is the Pomodoro Technique:
- Work for 25 minutes with full attention, then take a 5-minute break.
- Repeat for four cycles, then take a longer break.
This technique combines short, manageable focus sessions with built-in pauses to reset energy, making it easier to maintain sustained attention in a busy workday. And if 25 minutes feels too long, start smaller.
Want to get started? Get my Pomodoro tracker – a simple tool to help you build focus, one session at a time. You can grab it here.
Many of my clients tell me that even just one Pomodoro session can feel like a breakthrough – they get more done than expected and they feel calmer. Win win.
Simple way to make focus stick
Here are a few practical ways to make single-focus work part of your day:
- Time-block your day: Dedicate uninterrupted blocks for important work.
- Batch similar tasks: Group emails, calls, or admin together to reduce switching.
- Remove distractions: Close unnecessary tabs, mute notifications, and communicate that you’re in focus mode.
- Prioritise high-value tasks first: Tackle the most critical or challenging task when your focus is at its peak.
- Take micro-breaks: Short pauses help reset your brain and sustain energy.
Try this: Pick one key task tomorrow and give it your full attention for even 10–15 minutes – or one Pomodoro session. Record how much you get done and how you feel as a result, so you can refer back later.
The power of single-focus
High performance isn’t about doing more – it’s about being deliberate with your time and energy.
In a world that glorifies busyness, slowing down to focus on just one thing can feel…. well… weird. Maybe even uncomfortable.
But that’s exactly where the magic happens. When you give one task, one conversation, or even one email your full attention, you’ll notice the difference – your work feels sharper, your mind feels lighter, and the process actually becomes enjoyable. And here’s the beautiful part… imagine the gift you give someone when you make them the centre of your attention.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re leading a team, juggling a project, or just trying to get through your endless to-do list – practising single-focus work boosts clarity, creativity, and decision-making. And bonus: it sets a powerful example for the people around you.
You don’t have to reinvent your whole day. Start small. One focused block, one mindful pause, one distraction removed.
Do fewer things, but do them properly. Your mind, your energy, and your sanity will thank you.
💬 What’s one thing you’ll give your full focus to this week?
If this sounds familiar – whether you’re juggling a million things or just not sure where to start. You can sign up to my newsletter for regular tips on sustainable high performance, connect with me on LinkedIn or if you’re ready to take action, book a free Action Game Plan session with me.
About the author
Josie Askin is a high performance and productivity coach, speaker, and the founder of Spring Coaching. She works with driven leaders, business owners, and teams who want to achieve more – without burning out in the process.
With nearly two decades in government and advisory roles, Josie saw first-hand the cost of chronic overwork and the pressure to always be “on.” Her work blends evidence-based coaching, lived experience as an athlete, and practical strategies to help people lead themselves – and others – more sustainably.
Through tailored coaching, workshops and talks, Josie helps ambitious people make meaningful progress with clarity, energy, and purpose.
Keen to stay connected?
Follow Josie on LinkedIn, or head to www.spring-coaching.com to book a free Action Game Plan session and explore ways to work together.