Why Multitasking Makes You Less Productive (Even If It Feels Efficient)
By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD
November 17, 2025 | #66
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Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice.
Medical Trivia of the Week
Which part of the brain is responsible for switching attention between tasks? (the correct answer is at the end of this email)
- A) Hippocampus
- B) Occipital lobe
- C) Cerebellum
- D) Prefrontal cortex
The Hidden Cost of Multitasking
We live in a world that celebrates being “busy.” People brag about juggling five tasks at once, answering emails while eating lunch, scrolling social media during conversations, or hopping between projects every few minutes. It feels productive. It feels efficient.
But the truth is this: multitasking is one of the biggest productivity killers we face, and most people don’t even realize it. Modern research on the brain shows something very important:
Your brain is not built to multitask.
It can switch rapidly between tasks, but it cannot actually do two demanding things at the same time. And the constant switching comes with hidden costs.
Today, I want to help you understand those costs, and how to take back control of your time, your focus, and your peace of mind.
Why Multitasking Feels Good (But Isn’t Good for You)
Many people multitask because it gives a temporary sense of momentum. Jumping from one task to another tricks your brain into thinking you’re getting more done. There’s even a small dopamine hit every time you bounce to something new.
But beneath the surface, a very different process is happening.
Every time you switch tasks, your brain has to “reset.” It must stop what it was doing, load new information, and refocus on the next thing. This is called context switching, and it burns a surprising amount of mental energy.
Studies show that multitasking can lower your productivity by up to 40%, increase mistakes, and reduce your ability to think creatively or deeply.
Your brain simply cannot stay in a peak-performance state when it’s being forced to shift gears every few seconds.
The Real Hidden Costs
1. You Become Slower, Not Faster
People multitask to save time. Ironically, it usually makes everything take longer. Your brain keeps losing its place, and you have to repeatedly remind yourself what you were doing.
2. You Make More Errors
Even a small distraction can lead to a mistake. The same applies in everyday life, emails, conversations, work tasks, studying. When you divide your attention, accuracy drops.
3. You Feel More Stressed
Multitasking forces your brain into a constant state of low-level panic, always catching up, always shifting, never settled. This keeps your stress hormones elevated and makes you feel overwhelmed.
4. You Damage Your Ability to Focus
Just like a muscle, your focus gets stronger when you use it. But it weakens when you constantly interrupt it. Many people today struggle to concentrate for more than a few minutes because their brain has been trained to chase distractions.
5. You Miss the Moments That Matter
This is the part many don’t think about. You miss real connection when your mind is split. You miss details. You miss the quiet moments of life that actually matter.
How to Break the Multitasking Habit
The good news? You can retrain your brain. These strategies help almost everyone:
1. Choose One Task and Finish It
This sounds simple, but it is powerful. Pick one thing to complete. Then do it, fully.
2. Use “Focus Blocks”
Set a timer for 20–40 minutes and work on only one thing. No checking your phone. No bouncing to email. Then take a short break.
3. Turn Off Notifications
Notifications are one of the biggest drivers of multitasking. Turning them off, especially during work, dramatically improves focus. You can even try keeping your phone in another room when completing focused work.
4. Make a Daily Priority List
Not a long to-do list. Just your top 1–3 priorities for the day. Give them your uninterrupted attention.
5. Create “No Phone” Zones
Meals. Conversations. Bedtime. Even 30 minutes without your phone’s pull can help reset your brain and lower stress.
6. Practice Mindfulness
You don’t need anything complicated. Just pause for 10 seconds, breathe, and ask yourself: “What is the one thing I’m doing right now?” Your brain will thank you.
The Power of Single-Tasking
When you give your full attention to one task at a time, everything improves:
- You finish faster
- You feel calmer
- You remember more
- You make fewer mistakes
- You feel more present
- You enjoy life more
The modern world may push multitasking, but your brain performs best when you slow down, focus, and finish.
And the beautiful thing is this: you don’t need to change everything at once. Even dedicating one part of your day to single-tasking can make a meaningful difference in your health, mood, and productivity.
Impactful Quote of the Week
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you."
- Anne Lamott
All my best,
Brian Hoeflinger
P.S. - if you enjoyed this newsletter, you may enjoy my podcast and/or my book that details my life as neurosurgeon and the loss of my oldest son, Brian (see below a synopsis).
Check out My Podcast
The Hoeflinger Podcast is about more than medicine, it’s about living a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life. My son, Kevin, and I discuss medicine, health, fitness, lessons learned from personal tragedy, family, and purpose. Along the way, we invite inspiring guests to bring fresh insights and perspectives. Watch or listen to the podcast below.
YouTube: Click here
Apple Podcasts: Click here
Spotify: Click here
Check out My Book
Life and Death . . . Two words with such opposite meaning and which inflict such contradictory emotions and yet are so closely intertwined in our lives. As parents, we bring meaning and life into this world through our children. Our lives become defined as a result. We learn the joy, hardship, and responsibility of shaping an innocent life. But a day will come when that life will be taken. For some, death will come too soon. This is the story of my son, Brian Nicholas Hoeflinger, who died unexpectedly at age 18.
https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking
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Medical Trivia Answer:
The correct answer is D) Prefrontal cortex
*Disclaimer: This newsletter and blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this newsletter and blog or materials linked from this newsletter and blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this newsletter and blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should consult their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
