Meet the Productivity Shift We’ve All Been Missing: Monotasking

By WOI+ Editorial Team

Have you ever found yourself typing an email while scrolling through your phone and half-listening to a colleague in the background? Then wondering — why does nothing seem to get done?

This is the modern worker’s dilemma: the illusion of multitasking. But here’s the truth — it doesn’t work. Research from Dr. Gloria Mark at the University of California, Irvine, reveals that after an interruption, it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to refocus on the original task. Multitasking might feel productive, but it often leads to delays, mistakes, and rising stress levels.

Now imagine a different approach.

The Case for Monotasking

Your brain is a single-thread processor, not a high-speed server. Every time you switch tasks — what researchers call “context switching” — you pay a cognitive tax. That email you sent while on a Zoom call? It probably cost you 23 minutes of focused work.

What if instead of flipping back and forth, you poured that energy into one thing?

Monotasking minimizes errors and enhances focus. It shifts your energy from scattered efforts to a deliberate, effective approach.

Why Monotasking Requires Discipline

The challenge of this approach isn’t in the act itself. It’s in creating an environment where focus can thrive. In today’s always-on culture, distractions are relentless: pings from Slack, social media alerts, or the urge to check email “just once.”

Monotasking means setting boundaries — turning off notifications, prioritizing your schedule, and giving yourself permission to focus. It’s not about perfection but intention.

For example, consider how artists or writers work. Their craft requires uninterrupted stretches of concentration, free from distraction. Whether you’re solving a complex problem, brainstorming ideas, or writing, monotasking creates the conditions for flow — a state of deep, creative focus.

How to Embrace Monotasking

Making the shift to monotasking doesn’t mean overhauling your entire routine. It starts with small, deliberate changes:

• Pick Your Priority: Each day, identify one task that deserves your full attention.
• Create Focused Blocks: Schedule time for deep work, treating it as non-negotiable.
• Clear the Noise: Turn off unnecessary alerts, and close tabs that aren’t related to your task.
• Finish What You Start: Commit to seeing a task through before moving to the next.
• Reflect on Results: At the end of the day, assess what worked and where you can improve.

Monotasking Isn’t About Less — It’s About Better

There’s a misconception that monotasking is slow or unambitious. The reality is that it’s strategic. By focusing on what matters most, you’re not only more productive but also more engaged in your work.

So, the next time you feel pulled in multiple directions, pause. Ask yourself: What’s the real cost of trying to do it all at once?

Monotasking isn’t about having more time; it’s about making better use of the time you already have.