You’ve got a hundred different tasks to complete, your to-do list keeps getting longer, and time is running out. A huge amount of modern individuals find themselves in this situation.
Now, you need to decide how you’re going to get all your work done. This leaves you with a difficult question: Which is better mindfulness or multitasking?
Multitasking will likely be your first choice. As you probably know, this means working on multiple tasks all at the same time. Alternatively, you could try the opposite of multitasking, which is known as mindfulness.
This means keeping calm under pressure and giving each task enough attention. So, you’ve got your options, but how do you know which one works best for you?
In today’s post, we’re going to explore the ins and outs of mindfulness and multitasking. Let’s find out how they each affect you, and finally answer this all-important question.
What is Multitasking?
To find out which is better mindfulness or multitasking, we’ll start with multitasking.
Peter Sokolowski, editor of Merriam-Webster dictionary explains that the word ‘multitasking’ is actually used for computers. In particular, multitasking means “The concurrent performance of several jobs by a computer.” Nowadays, the human habit of working on many things at the same time is also called multitasking.
Multitasking: Advantages and Disadvantages
With this in mind, multitasking’s use for computers may make you believe it’s a scientific approach. But, this isn’t always true. Let’s explore the pros and cons of multitasking to find out more.
Advantage: High Productivity
If you’re good at multitasking then you can focus on all your work at the same time. It doesn’t matter how many tasks you have to do. This might mean that you can complete more work.
Disadvantage: Low Work Quality
When you’re juggling multiple tasks, your work is going to be worse quality. This is because switching between tasks lessens your focus and ups your chances of making mistakes. In the end, this only creates more work.
Advantage: Efficiency
Multitasking might help you complete tasks in less time than it usually takes. In particular, focusing on different tasks can give you a break from one that’s really difficult. As a result, when you go back to that task, you’re ready to get going again.
Disadvantage: Mental Burnout
Getting all that work done can make you feel proud. But, you’re definitely going to need a break after multitasking. According to many studies, multitasking causes stress and even burnout.
Advantage: Improved Skill
Multitasking is its own skill. Sometimes, it’s helpful to switch between tasks, especially if you work in a busy environment. In fact, many people think the more you multitask, the better you’ll get at multitasking.
Disadvantage: Loss of Focus and Memory
Not many people know that poor memory and focus are side-effects of multitasking. Studies have only tested media-multitasking. But, it’s thought that quickly switching tasks is just as bad. This leads to bad attention span and memory.
Remember, the pros and cons of multitasking depend on your working style. The answer to ‘which is better mindfulness or multitasking’, may be multitasking. But, it might not work well for you. If that’s the case, you can try mindfulness…
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness may seem like a new thing. But, it’s actually 2500 years old! It was first practiced by Hindus and Buddhists. These groups thought a strong consciousness and meditation were important. Overall, they believe the mind and body are two parts of one whole.
Nowadays, many people use mindfulness to be present in the moment. It’s all about focus, understanding and allowing your mind to wander. There are unique advantages and disadvantages when it comes to which is better mindfulness or multitasking.
Mindfulness: Advantages and Disadvantages
You should focus on only one task at any time to work mindfully. Mindfulness also means taking breaks without feeling guilty. This has some interesting benefits. But, there are some bad things about mindfulness even though it’s popular.
Advantage: Increased Productivity
Multitasking uses pressure and stress to up productivity. On the other hand, mindfulness works by improving your brain’s performance. In particular, way back in the 1990s, a study found that mindfulness in work can up productivity by 120%!
Disadvantage: Slower Work
Being mindful can mean you take longer to tick tasks off your to-do list. You have to be patient, take your time and focus on only one thing. This is the complete opposite of multitasking. As a result, you won’t be able to quickly complete your tasks all at once.
Advantage: Less Mistakes
If you’re giving one task all your attention, you won’t make mistakes. Not to mention, you can easily check your work to find problems. As a result, you’ll have less work overall.
Disadvantage: Hyper-focus
Multitasking allows you to compare tasks. But, mindfulness means paying attention to only one thing. Focusing on one task can close your mind to different facts that might be helpful.
Advantage: Improved Creativity
If you know how your mind works and what it likes, you can find more enjoyable ways of working. If a task isn’t going your way, mindfulness will help you to keep calm and problem-solve. This leads to more ideas and improved creativity.
Disadvantage: Resistance to Change
If you’ve found ways of working that suit you, you might not want to change them. Sometimes, a task needs another idea that you can’t think of. Remember that mindfulness isn’t the only way of working. On some occasions, you might need to multitask too.
Now you’ve got all the information. As a result, it’s time to answer the question of which is better mindfulness or multitasking.
Which is Better Mindfulness or Multitasking?
Although multitasking may work for you, there are many studies out there that show its unhealthiness. Similarly, while mindfulness seems slow and spiritual, it’s been proven to increase productivity. So, the answer to which is better mindfulness or multitasking is mindfulness.
You’ll make the most of your skills and keep calm when the pressure gets too high with mindfulness. It allows you to take breaks, meaning you’ll likely be much less stressed out by the time you’re finished.
Overall, mindfulness can actually help you enjoy work, and this is one of the main reasons many people practice it.
Don’t forget that you can switch things up if needs be. This is true even if mindfulness or multitasking has worked out for you in the past. Multitasking might be the best option if you have lots of tasks to get done. However, if you’re feeling stressed out, try mindfulness.
Now it’s Your Turn
You know our answer, so we want to know your thoughts! Which is better mindfulness or multitasking? Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried either approach, and which worked best for you.
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