♟️ The Metagame #016: The Multitasking Myth

Here’s what’s in store for today:

• The cost of multitasking

• Time-blocking and monotasking

Read time: 4 minutes

You might think you’re good at multitasking.

I used to think that too.

Some days, I still convince myself I am.

But the truth is, I’m not great at multitasking. What I am good at is reducing the mental overhead of switching tasks.

And that makes all the difference.

The Multitasking Myth

Humans are notoriously bad at multitasking.

In fact, our brains weren’t designed for it.

Studies have shown that when we think we’re multitasking, we’re actually just rapidly switching between tasks.

This constant shifting comes with a cost: lost time, lost focus, and usually, lost productivity.

And before you say, “But I can walk and talk at the same time,” let’s clarify: that’s not the kind of multitasking we’re talking about. Basic motor tasks don’t require much conscious thought once they’re learned. The type of multitasking that trips us up involves cognitive tasks—ones that need focus, attention, and mental processing power.

Imagine trying to read a book while watching Netflix.

You might think you’re absorbing both at once, but the reality is, as soon as you tune into the show, you stop processing the book, and vice versa.

Sure, you may be skilled at switching your focus quickly, but each shift comes with a delay that adds up.

The Hidden Cost of Context Switching

Context switching isn’t just annoying; it’s productivity kryptonite. Studies have shown that even brief mental blocks created by shifting between tasks can cost as much as 40% of someone’s productive time.

That’s nearly half of your day lost to transitions.

Let’s break it down with a simple analogy: computers.

Ever notice how when you open too many programs (or too many Chrome tabs like me), your computer slows down? On the surface, it might seem like everything is running fine, but behind the scenes, your CPU is scrambling to allocate resources, causing lags and delays.

Humans work the same way, except our “lag” is much more noticeable.

When you’re deep into a task and you get interrupted—whether it’s a Slack notification, a text ping, or an “urgent” email—it takes more time than you realize to get back to where you were.

A study by the University of California, Irvine, found that on average, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to fully return to a task after being distracted.

So even after you’re “done” being distracted, your brain is still trying to play catch up.

Why Time Blocks Matter

This is why scheduling dedicated time blocks for different types of work is a must these days.

It’s not about being rigid; it’s about being strategic.

If you try to handle everything all at once—responding to pings, emails, and Slack messages while simultaneously drafting a report or coding—you’ll end up producing mediocre results all around.

It’s like juggling (which I actually know how to do. Not sure if that’s a flex or just embarrassing myself)—the more items you add, the more likely you are to drop something. And even if you manage to keep all the balls in the air, you’re expending a ton of energy to do so.

The Real Secret? Monotasking

The solution isn’t a revolutionary productivity hack—it’s just good old-fashioned monotasking. Carve out blocks of time where you focus on one thing at a time.

Whether it’s:

• Separating writing and editing into two distinct sessions

• Coding in the morning and responding to emails in the afternoon

• Filming videos one day and editing them the next

It’s all the same—allocate time for deep work without interruptions, and separate out your distractions.

Because when you give your brain the space to focus on a single task, you’re not just minimizing the context-switching time—you’re setting yourself up to do your best work.

In a world that glorifies hustle culture and busyness, it’s easy to equate multitasking with efficiency. But the reality is, if you want to produce meaningful, high-quality work, focus on one task at a time.

The irony? You’ll get more done, and you’ll do it better.

So next time you’re tempted to split your attention, remember: multitasking isn’t a badge of honor. It’s just an expensive illusion.

Quote of the week

Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions, hit me up on LinkedIn or on 𝕏 at @sam_starkman, or feel free to reply to this email!

— Sam