{"id":1910,"date":"2021-11-22T17:15:42","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T17:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teamly.com\/blog\/?p=1910"},"modified":"2023-11-21T15:22:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T15:22:26","slug":"which-is-better-mindfulness-or-multitasking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamly.com\/blog\/which-is-better-mindfulness-or-multitasking\/","title":{"rendered":"Mindfulness Or Multitasking: Which One Is Better?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The corporate world is changing in response to the new sets of values held by the current generations making up our workforce. We once prided ourselves on our ability to multitask, and took it as a sign of higher thinking, with many considering it a highly desirable skill to market to potential employers. Now, workplaces are shifting to include more intentional practices aimed to help create a healthier environment where their employees can succeed and companies can thrive. Mindfulness is one practice that\u2019s been on the rise<\/a>, with some companies implementing workshops centered around it, and others even creating entire positions for mindfulness trainers. This has left many wondering, which is better: mindfulness or multitasking?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s consider the pros and cons of each.<\/p>\n

\"Multitasking\"<\/p>\n

<\/span>What Is Multitasking?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Multitasking refers to the action of doing multiple tasks simultaneously. However, this has become a topic of debate due to a handful of studies and surveys that took a deeper look into the actual level of productivity. Here are some pros and cons to consider when adopting a multitasking work style.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The Pros Of Multitasking<\/span><\/h2>\n

Provides Consistent Mental Stimulation<\/h4>\n

If you thrive while under pressure and require constant stimulation, multitasking can be a great way to manage your workflow, because the act of switching between multiple tasks simultaneously keeps your brain engaged.<\/p>\n

Helps You Avoid Boredom<\/h4>\n

If you get bored quickly throughout the day and struggle to maintain focus and interest in one task for long periods of time, multitasking can keep your mind busy.<\/p>\n

Breaks Up A Repetitive Day<\/h4>\n

If you struggle with your schedule following a repetitive style, you can break your day up by completing a variety of tasks that require different mindsets, naturally creating a workflow that makes every day different.<\/p>\n

Helps You Adapt<\/h4>\n

When you multitask, you\u2019re naturally building up your ability to adapt to change. Your mind is constantly moving from one thing to another in a way that allows you to learn how to adjust to changes, instead of struggling to understand and cope with unexpected turns.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The Cons Of Multitasking<\/span><\/h2>\n

Exhaustion<\/h4>\n

When you multitask, you\u2019re filling each hour with a variety of tasks that require different mindsets to perform effectively. By doing this, you\u2019re lowering your energy levels, both mentally and physically, because your mind will have to work harder to change tasks and recall what stage you were at with each one, without being able to rest between demands.<\/p>\n

Less Productive<\/h4>\n

By providing yourself with a way to escape demanding tasks, you\u2019re reducing your productivity. When you create distractions with multiple avenues of work to complete, you\u2019re cultivating an environment where you have lower expectations of yourself, have less willpower, and are reinforcing the habit of escaping when a task begins to pose a challenge.<\/p>\n

Lower Quality Of Work<\/h4>\n

It\u2019s difficult to produce a high quality of work when you\u2019re not invested in each task individually and have split your attention among a handful of others. When you focus your attention on multiple tasks, you create the possibility of mistakes being missed and left for your team to discover and manage.<\/p>\n

Increased Stress Levels<\/h4>\n

Multitasking creates an atmosphere where you have a constant feeling of being under pressure. You\u2019ve begun multiple lines of thinking and placed all your tasks into one timeline, making you feel like your workload is much heavier than it is in reality. This increases stress, which can have detrimental effects in every area of your life.<\/p>\n

\"Burn<\/p>\n

Burn Out<\/h4>\n

When you have too many demands on your energy levels for extended periods of time, you can begin struggling to concentrate, have a lower resistance to daily stressors, feel exhausted emotionally and physically, be more irritable, and begin getting sick more frequently than usual. These are all signs of burnout, and it\u2019s your body\u2019s way of telling you to slow down. By expecting your mind to constantly change from one task to another, you\u2019re increasing the demands placed on recall and focus as you try to shift into a mental state that\u2019s beneficial to the new task. This creates additional stress on your brain and naturally depletes its energy. Our minds need time to rest and recoup, and when you don\u2019t allow time for recovery then you risk burning yourself out.<\/p>\n

Reduced Motivation<\/h4>\n

Positive reinforcement is a major influencer of motivation. When you complete a task, you feel accomplished and experience a sense of relief knowing that it\u2019s one less thing you have to do. When you take on multiple tasks at once, you\u2019re drastically reducing the rate of positive reinforcement you experience which naturally decreases your motivation. It\u2019s difficult to continue pushing yourself when you feel like you\u2019re never getting anything done, which is often the case when people multitask because there is always the next task to switch to.<\/p>\n

There are some factors of multitasking that are appealing and can create a more diverse workday; however, the struggles that can come from this habit can be detrimental to both your work and mental wellbeing, especially when maintained over long periods of time.<\/p>\n

\"Mindfulness\"<\/p>\n

<\/span>What Is Mindfulness?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mindfulness is when you are aware of the present moment, and focused on exactly what\u2019s in front of you, without judgment. It\u2019s a state of mind that can be developed over time and can come in many forms.<\/p>\n

Companies have begun implementing strategies to promote mindfulness within their workplaces, with some beginning to offer training to help their employees develop the skill. In fact, Google has even created a permanent role for a mindfulness trainer!<\/p>\n

The main aspects of mindfulness include:<\/p>\n