#449 - Thatcher Wine - Multitasking Is Killing Your Productivity

Podcast Summary

• The Benefits of Monotasking: Focusing on One Thing at a Time: Monotasking leads to higher quality work, increased productivity, improved focus, and overall well-being by reducing mistakes and shorter completion times.

  Multitasking, while tempting in our modern, distracting world, ultimately leads to less effectiveness, productivity, happiness, and an increased likelihood of errors. Thatcher Wine, a professional book curator, founder of Juniper Books, and author, shares his personal journey of navigating cancer, entrepreneurship, and parenthood, which led him to the importance of monotasking – focusing on one thing at a time. Research shows that multitasking results in more mistakes and longer completion times. Wine emphasizes the benefits of giving your full attention to one task at a time, which leads to higher quality work and a more satisfied and fulfilling experience. Despite the tension between the amount of work and the focus on single tasks, the research supports the interlinking nature of these factors. Embracing monotasking can lead to increased productivity, improved focus, and overall well-being.

• The Ineffectiveness of Multitasking: Multitasking reduces productivity, increases stress, and harms cognitive abilities. Focusing on one task at a time and taking breaks is more beneficial for overall well-being.

  Multitasking as we commonly understand it – switching between tasks rather than doing them simultaneously – is not effective for humans and can lead to cognitive overload, stress, and decreased productivity. This phenomenon, which has been a challenge for thousands of years, is due in part to the design of the human brain, which is better suited to handling multiple environmental stimuli than multiple cognitive tasks at once. Modern multitasking, which emerged with the introduction of computers in the late 1960s, has been glorified but is actually detrimental to our cognitive abilities and overall well-being. Instead, focusing on one task at a time and giving ourselves the necessary breaks to switch between tasks can help us be more present, productive, and fulfilled.

• The distraction of multitasking prevents us from fully experiencing moments: Being present in experiences requires focusing on one task at a time, despite societal pressure and technology's ease of multitasking.

  Our constant need to avoid boredom through multitasking, fueled by technology and societal pressure, can prevent us from fully immersing ourselves in experiences and being present in the moment. The speaker shares an example of a car ride where they valued the view of the capitol building but were distracted by the temptation to check emails and take pictures. This habit of reaching for our phones to fill boredom is a learned behavior that has become frictionless due to technology. Monotasking, or focusing on one task at a time, can help us appreciate the journey and be more present in our experiences. However, it can be challenging to resist the urge to multitask due to the perceived productivity it offers. Ultimately, it's essential to be aware of these habits and make a conscious effort to be present in our experiences, even if it means embracing boredom from time to time.

• Focus on one task at a time for better quality work: Focusing on one task leads to better quality output and increased efficiency, despite the cultural norm of multitasking.

  Focusing on one thing at a time instead of multitasking leads to better quality work and increased efficiency. Multitasking may seem pleasurable and easy, but it often results in partial attention and decreased productivity. The cultural norm of glorifying multitasking can make it hard to break the habit, but the rewards of focused attention are worth the effort. The best work is produced when we give our full attention to a single task, and in a world where quality trumps quantity, focusing on one thing can set us apart from the competition. Whether it's in the workplace or in creative pursuits, the person who puts out the best work, not the most work, is the one who will stand out. So take a deep breath, clear your mind, and focus on the task at hand. The results will speak for themselves.

• Quality over quantity: Prioritize deep work: Focusing on quality work, one task at a time, leads to better outcomes than multitasking or attempting to do too much.

  Quality work is more important than quantity. Fear of not producing enough can lead to attempting to multitask, but focusing on deep work and giving undivided attention to one task at a time results in better outcomes. The speaker learned this lesson through personal experience, having pushed himself too hard during cancer treatment and realizing the importance of managing attention and focus. Despite societal pressures to constantly create and accomplish, it's essential to prioritize quality over quantity and make intentional adjustments to daily routines and mindset.

• Managing increased pressure and workload in various aspects of life: Effective delegation and trusting others to help can lead to easing pressure and workload, allowing for personal growth and optimized happiness.

  Personal growth and optimizing happiness often require making adjustments to manage increased pressure and workload in various aspects of life, whether it's a passion project, business, or relationship. The speaker shares her experience with cancer and starting a business, noting that the journey can follow an hourglass shape, with initial ease and low pressure gradually narrowing to a bottleneck of high pressure and workload. However, with effective delegation and operationalization of challenges, it's possible to reach a stage of ease once again. The key is to let go of control and trust others to help, even when it's difficult. The speaker also mentions that disagreements in relationships tend to center around consistent issues, and finding solutions to delegate control and break down challenges can help avoid getting stuck in the middle section of the hourglass shape.

• The Importance of Focus and Continuous Learning in Entrepreneurship: Successful entrepreneurship requires focus and continuous learning. Delegate tasks, build a team, and invest time in monotasking like reading for greater focus and attention.

  Building a successful business and personal life involves continuous learning and overcoming challenges. Entrepreneurship is a journey with ups and downs, and it never truly gets easier. Delegating tasks and building a team can help lighten the load, but finding and training the right people takes time and effort. The importance of monotasking, such as reading, cannot be overstated, as it helps build focus and concentration, which are essential habits for successful people. Reading, whether in print or audio format, is a valuable investment of time that can lead to greater focus, attention, and ultimately, success. Successful people like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Warren Buffett are known for their reading habits, demonstrating the correlation between the ability to focus and success in life.

• The value of monotasking while reading a physical book: Monotasking while reading a physical book strengthens focus and creates a spatial map in the mind. Start small and gradually build the habit, even with short sessions of 5 minutes or more.

  The act of reading a physical book, with its unique ability to engage our focus and create a spatial map in our minds, is a valuable monotask that strengthens our ability to pay attention. This single-minded focus, often referred to as monotasking, can be applied to various aspects of our lives, including work, relationships, and hobbies. For those who find it challenging to sit down and read a physical book due to distractions or other commitments, the advice is to start small and gradually build up the habit. Begin with short sessions of 5 minutes or more, and choose an easy, enjoyable book to read. The goal is not to compare oneself to others or to strive for perfection, but rather to appreciate the benefits of focused reading and gradually incorporate it into one's daily routine.

• Finding the Right Book for Your Mood and Reading Style: Choose fast-paced books for action and excitement or slower novels for immersion. Use technology to optimize reading experience.

  There are different types of books that cater to various reading moods and preferences. Fast-paced books, like Pierce Brown's Red Rising, offer unrelenting action and excitement, while slower, more detailed novels, such as Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind, allow readers to immerse themselves in the intricacies of the story and characters. It's essential to find the right book for your current state of mind and reading style. Additionally, using technology like Kindle and extensions like "Send to Kindle" can enhance the reading experience by optimizing articles and blog posts for a more book-like format, making information consumption more purposeful and enjoyable.

• The impact of environment on focus and monotasking: Understanding the environment's effect on focus and intentionally reframing experiences can help maximize time and effectively monotask in various settings.

  The environment we're in significantly impacts our ability to focus and monotask effectively. While technology like phones and laptops can provide access to vast amounts of information, they also come with distractions that make deep focus difficult. The absence of friction in moving from one piece of information to another, as in the case of social media, can lead to information overload and wasted time. A solution to this problem is to intentionally reframe the experience and use monotasking techniques to give full focus to individual tasks. For example, reading a journal article or a book can be a more conducive environment for deep focus as there are fewer distractions. Even social media can be monotasked if approached with a clear purpose, such as creating content or connecting with friends. The concept of information foraging, as discussed by neuroscientists, highlights the importance of staying focused on the most relevant information. In the past, having access to the most information was an advantage. However, in today's digital age, the ability to discern and stay focused on the most relevant information has become more important. By understanding the impact of our environment on our focus and intentionally reframing our experiences, we can make the most of our time and effectively monotask in various environments.

• Be present and focused for personal growth and better relationships: Focusing on the present and being fully engaged in interactions can lead to personal growth and stronger relationships, while distractions and multitasking hinder our ability to connect and learn.

  Being fully present and focused in our interactions, whether it's in a conversation or during an activity like walking, can lead to significant personal growth and better relationships. Constantly being distracted by our phones or multitasking can prevent us from truly absorbing new experiences and fully engaging with others. The ability to listen actively and monotask is a skill that can be developed and is essential in various aspects of life, including personal relationships and professional settings. By consciously setting aside time for undistracted activities, such as having a private podcast with a friend or going for a mindful walk, we can become better conversationalists, deepen our connections with others, and appreciate the world around us.

• Multitasking during certain activities can be beneficial: Understand the different types of multitasking, recognize when it's appropriate, and enhance creativity and productivity through purposeful multitasking during low cognitive load tasks.

  Multitasking during certain activities, like walking or driving, can be beneficial when done purposefully. Instead of seeing multitasking as a negative, it's essential to understand the different types and recognize when it's appropriate. For instance, walking while listening to a podcast or thinking about a problem can enhance creativity and productivity. Additionally, being aware of the tasks that can be outsourced to our subconscious mind can help reduce stress and improve focus during cognitive heavy tasks. Learning and teaching are also interconnected, and embracing a beginner's mindset while monotasking can lead to continuous growth and new experiences. Overall, it's crucial to recognize the nuances of multitasking and monotasking and make informed decisions based on the specific task at hand.

• The benefits of monotasking: increased productivity, better memory retention, and reduced stress: Monotasking can lead to improved focus, enhanced memory, and reduced stress by fully engaging in one task at a time, ultimately leading to a better quality of life and increased productivity.

  Monotasking, or focusing on one task at a time, can lead to increased productivity, better memory retention, and reduced stress. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding what works best for the individual, whether it's through teaching others or observing how others teach. However, implementing monotasking can be challenging due to fears of wasting time or feeling overwhelmed. The speaker also highlights the benefits of being fully present in the moment and consciously making the decision to focus on one task, rather than trying to juggle multiple tasks at once. Additionally, the speaker shares their personal experience of wanting to fully engage in new experiences and memories during travel, which has led them to prioritize monotasking in their life. Overall, monotasking can lead to a significant improvement in the quality of life and output, making it a valuable skill to cultivate.

• The importance of monotasking and being fully present: Monotasking and being fully present can enhance our experiences. Avoid taking photos for performative purposes and appreciate moments for ourselves.

  Being fully present in the moment can significantly enhance our experiences. Thatcher shared an interesting anecdote about a man who wrote down his name to remember it, highlighting the importance of monotasking and paying full attention. He also discussed the distinction between taking photos for oneself to enhance the experience versus taking them for performative purposes. Thatcher emphasized that monotasking can help us appreciate our experiences more deeply, whether it's eating food, attending a concert, or traveling. Social media can blur the lines between monotasking and multitasking, but being mindful of our intentions can help us make the most of our experiences. Thatcher encouraged listeners to check out his websites, Thatcherwine.com, monotasking.tips, and juniperbooks.com, for more information on his book and other projects.