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Mind Juggling: The Surprising Truth about Our Ability to Multitask

The Guide
5 min readApr 3, 2023

Discover the latest research on multitasking and uncover the surprising reality of our brain’s ability to juggle multiple tasks at once.

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

In our fast-paced world, multitasking has become a way of life. We juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, whether it’s answering emails while on a conference call or checking social media while watching TV. However, research suggests that this constant switching between tasks can take a toll on our productivity and well-being.

A study published in the Journal of Communication found that even the presence of a phone can distract us from our primary tasks, resulting in decreased productivity and increased stress levels.

While the conventional understanding is that multitasking is a desirable skill, more recent research suggests otherwise. In fact, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that attempting to multitask can actually result in decreased cognitive control and long-term cognitive issues.

Despite this research, we still cling to the idea of multitasking as a desirable skill, perhaps due to societal pressure to always be productive. However, by understanding the limitations of multitasking and the benefits of focus and prioritization, we can make informed decisions about how we…

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The Guide
The Guide

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