Why single-tasking beats multitasking every time

You’re juggling three projects, an inbox pinging every two minutes, and a to-do list so long it makes your stomach drop. You tell yourself you’re a great multitasker, but deep down you feel scattered. Neuroscience research shows this isn’t a badge of honor—our brains simply switch rapidly between tasks, lowering both speed and accuracy. Last week I tried something different: I picked one client email, set a 30-minute timer, and shut everything else off. At first the silence felt deafening, but halfway through I realized how much I enjoyed working without yanking my attention in every direction.

By the end of that half-hour, the email was clear, concise, and sent. No typos, no forgotten points, just purposeful writing. I noted every stray thought—ideas for a blog post, a quick lunch plan—and dropped them onto a notepad. My brain relaxed, knowing those reminders were captured elsewhere. The next day I tried a 20-minute “deep read” on a research paper—no phone, no notifications. Suddenly pages that had felt impenetrable before were easy to digest.

You don’t have to be born with laser focus—it’s a skill you build. Intentional, consecutive tasking leverages your prefrontal cortex’s capacity to hold and manipulate information in working memory. When you single-task, you let that system do its job without interference. You’ll feel more settled, finish tasks faster, and miss far fewer details.

Pick your most urgent task, mute all distractions, and set a timer for 25 minutes of single-minded work. Jot down any stray ideas, then return. At the end, note how much you got done and how calm you felt. This practice rewires your attention for deeper results. Try it today.