The Superpower You Didn't Know You Had: Doing One Thing at a Time

The Superpower You Didn't Know You Had: Doing One Thing at a Time 🚀

Hey Peak Performance Seekers!

Let’s talk about something we all deal with: the never-ending to-do list.

It’s easy to feel like the only way to get everything done is to multitask—juggle ten things at once and hope nothing crashes to the ground.

But here’s a little secret: doing one thing at a time is actually a superpower. 💥

I know, I know—this might sound counterintuitive in a world that glorifies multitasking. But trust me, there’s magic in focusing on just one task at a time. When you do, you unlock a level of productivity and creativity that’s hard to match.

Let’s break it down.

First, let’s discuss what I call, The Myth of Multitasking

How many times have you been in back-to-back meetings, and you feel like you can’t think straight moving between topics that don’t necessarily align.  For instance, having a meeting where you need to think creatively and in the next one jumping into finance and P&L management. Very different focus and thought process…right? On top of all of that, we are communicating by text or taking a phone call as we are in a virtual meeting. Always thinking we can catch up and in fact we end up not focusing and often times getting caught multitasking by forgetting to hit the mute button. I’ve been there too many times unfortunately. 

Multitasking might seem like a way to get more done, but research shows it often leads to reduced productivity and increased errors. When you switch between tasks, your brain needs time to refocus, which can waste up to 40% of your productive time¹. You might feel busy, but what you’re really doing is spreading yourself too thin. This phenomenon is known as the “switching cost.”

When you have developed Multi tasking habits, it takes a new habit to break the cycle and that habit lies in The Power of Single-Tasking

Now, imagine focusing entirely on one task. No distractions, no switching gears—just you and the work in front of you. This is what I call deep work, and it’s where the real magic happens. When you’re all in, your brain can fully engage, solve problems more effectively, and produce higher-quality results. Plus, you actually enjoy the process more because you’re fully present.

This is why I break my day up into quarters which I shared my philosophy on that with you all in my last newsletter/video.  I use my golden hours to do focused deep work that is free of distractions for this reason. I’m awake before most people and avoiding the habit to multi task is more controllable.

I’ve found that Single-tasking, or focusing on one task at a time, can significantly boost my productivity and creativity. But I’m not alone. 

Here are some key findings

1. Increased Productivity: Studies have shown that single-tasking can increase productivity by up to 20% compared to multitasking².

2. Improved Memory: Heavy multitaskers have been found to have reduced memory performance³. In contrast, single-tasking helps improve focus and memory retention.

3. Reduced Stress: Single-tasking can lead to lower stress levels and a greater sense of accomplishment⁴.

4. Better Quality of Work: When you focus on one task, the quality of your work improves because you can give it your full attention⁵.

How to Harness Your Superpower

So how do you tap into this superpower? Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Prioritize Your Tasks: Start each day by identifying the most important tasks you need to accomplish and be realistic.  I usually keep it to 3-5 tasks and no more. Focus on that first, before anything else.

2. Eliminate Distractions: Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and create a workspace that minimizes interruptions. This will help you stay in the zone. You don’t need to constantly check email every time you are notified.

3. Set Time Blocks: Dedicate specific chunks of time to single tasks. Whether it’s 30 minutes or two hours, commit to focusing on just one thing during that time.

4. Practice Mindfulness: When your mind starts to wander or you feel the urge to switch tasks, gently bring your focus back to the task at hand. It takes practice, but it’s worth it.

The Ripple Effect

When you start practicing single-tasking, you’ll notice something amazing: you not only get more done, but you also feel more accomplished and less stressed. Your work improves, your ideas flow more freely, and you start to enjoy your tasks instead of just checking them off a list.

So, here’s my challenge to you: try it out this week. Pick one task, focus on it completely, and see how it feels. I think you’ll be surprised at how powerful this simple shift can be.

Let’s embrace this superpower together and see what we can achieve, one focused step at a time. 🚀

Best,
Jennifer

P.S. I’d love to hear about your experience with single-tasking! What worked for you? What challenges did you face? Let’s keep the conversation going.

 Three things to ALWAYS remember:

Be CONFIDENT!

Be EMPATHETIC!

AND ALWAYS HAVE PASSION!!!!

References:

1. Multitasking: Switching costs (apa.org)

2. Heavy multitaskers have reduced memory | Stanford Report

3. Single-tasking: the power of focusing on one task at a time - Ness Labs

4. Why Single-Tasking is the Key to Getting More Done (any.do)

5. Single-Tasking (centerforbrainhealth.org)