Monotasking, Multitasking, and Finding Your Sweet Spot
The Joys and Dangers of Monotasking
Have you ever been so absorbed in a task that you completely lost track of time? There's something magical about that state of flow, but it can come with unexpected consequences when we let other responsibilities slide.
Narrow or broad focus?
Which is more natural for you?
I experienced this recently at the ceramic studio. We often joke that coming into the studio is like being in "Severance" (you know, that show where work-life and home-life are completely separated) - it's as if time isn't real and I completely forget I have a family!
I was mostly joking in that moment, but it became way too real one day when I was teaching my wheel-throwing class. I was helping a student get caught up after class was over, fully aware that I had a haircut scheduled for 1:30 PM. I kept glancing at the clock, but somehow the information wasn't registering. I had "1:30" loosely floating in my mind and a nagging feeling that something wasn't right, that I needed to get moving.
With the clock ticking, I started cleaning up faster and faster, which anyone who's thrown on the wheel knows is nearly impossible! My clay-covered hands couldn't check my phone to verify my schedule. So I kept rushing along, and wasn't entirely surprised when my phone rang at 1:40 PM — the hairdresser kindly wondered if I was planning to show up! I apologized profusely and asked if they could still fit me in. They graciously accepted my late arrival (literally 40 minutes after my appointment time!), but the whole experience was rushed, and I felt so guilty that I ended up paying way too much for a haircut I didn't even like. This chain of events started because I didn’t account for the way I naturally work.
How do we set ourselves up for success, instead?
Finding Balance: Monotasking, Multitasking and Reality
It definitely feels good to be "in the zone," but we also have to live on planet Earth, with real time constraints, financial responsibilities, and commitments that limit us.
And that's actually okay - even beneficial! Remember last week's margin metaphor? We wouldn't want constant, open-ended flow without planning and structure coming back into the equation at some point.
Think about your own natural rhythms. Are you a natural monotasker, at risk of getting stuck on one task and forgetting about real life? Or are you a natural multitasker, at risk of being scattered in too many directions?
In my family, we're split down the middle, and I think we help each other tremendously with this balance. My husband can call me out if he sees me going down a deep rabbit hole, and I can rein him in when his ideas start going in too many directions and overwhelm me.
Our kids are split down the middle as well! It's fascinating to see how they navigate the world through their own unique lenses, and we've learned to parent them differently for that reason.
Keeping Monotasking in Check
So how can you maintain the benefits of deep focus while keeping it in check? Here are some strategies that might help:
Timers! Set an alarm for when you need to transition to the next activity
Check-in points throughout the day to reassess priorities
Post your big goals or key values somewhere visible so you can keep them top of mind to help steer your day
Find an accountability partner or group who can help you maintain perspective, or make progress on a chosen project
For example, I'm part of an accountability group that includes 7 women I met through a course I took. We jump on GoogleMeets every Thursday to review wins and challenges of the past week, and intentions for the upcoming week. We are all creatives building businesses, and this group has the purpose of keeping us on track with the goals we have set for ourselves.
This simple practice helps me maintain awareness of my larger goals and prevents me from getting too stuck on any single task, or forgetting to come up for air when I'm busy with other areas of life.
Your accountability system could involve family, friends, colleagues, or even a life coach - anyone who can provide that gentle nudge when you're getting too absorbed. Even just knowing I have that meeting coming up gets me focused in the days leading up to it, and sends me back to my notes to see if I made progress from last week.
Now, For the Natural Multitaskers
Maybe you’re reading this thinking, too much focus on one task?? Where can I get some of that? You may be a natural multitasker with great big-picture thinking but struggle to make progress in any one area. Let’s look at some strategies that can help you harness your strengths while minimizing the downsides multitasking can bring.
The power of time-blocking and tiny experiments: Instead of trying to fight your multitasking tendencies, embrace them in a structured way. Set aside specific 2-3 hour blocks where you focus on just one project. Sarah Millican's book "Tiny Experiments" offers a complementary approach - commit to small-scale experiments to test different directions without overwhelming commitment. This gives you the variety you crave while still creating completion points.
Use the "touch it once" rule: When a new idea or task comes in, either handle it immediately, delegate it, schedule it for later, or eliminate it. This prevents the accumulation of half-started projects that often plague multitaskers.
Create a "not doing now" list: Multitaskers often struggle not because of a lack of focus, but because of too many interesting possibilities. Keep a dedicated place to capture ideas you're deliberately choosing not to pursue right now (but might later). This validates your ideas while preventing them from becoming distractions.
Notice your emotional reactions: When someone suggests a different path than what you're currently pursuing, pay attention to how you feel. Your emotional response might reveal what you truly want when your logical mind is overwhelmed with options.
Embracing Your Natural Tendencies
Most of us vacillate between monotasking and multitasking, but we usually have one approach that feels more natural while the other requires more effort.
For me, monotasking can be a strength, but it definitely has its downsides. I'm easily overwhelmed (resulting in brain fog) when people bring multiple new challenges to me while I'm still working on a different project. This was the primary reason I retired from fast-paced healthcare. I eventually moved into concussion and brain injury vision care, where my exams were a full hour of in-depth assessment on their injury, instead of the typical 10-minute slots standard optometry practice, which serve as more of an overview of vision and eye health. This shift to in-depth and longer-form evaluation definitely helped align my work with my natural tendencies, and kept me in the profession for many more years.
Small Steps Toward Better Balance
Within the confines of your current situation, what's one small tweak you can make? For the next few days, try focusing on just observing how you move through your day, without trying to change anything yet.
Notice: Are you monotasking, multitasking, or both?
Which feels easier? Which creates struggle?
And remember - you don't have to change anything that's already working well!
Sometimes awareness alone gives you permission to be who you naturally are and relax into it.
One final thought: Consider "duo-tasking" - pairing one repetitive, mindless activity with one focused task. This might look like watching a familiar TV show while crafting, or running while dictating a blog post (which has become my go-to for getting the first draft of the blog done)!
This approach is not really multi-"tasking" per se, more like a trick to get your brain going at sort of a baseline rhythm, and provide an active foundation for the focused work to take place.
What's your natural tendency? Are you a monotasker, multitasker, or somewhere in between? Have you ever tried duo-tasking? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
With Enthusiasm for Art & Life,
Heidi
Resources:
The book "Tiny Experiments" was written by Sarah Millican, published in early 2024. It explores how small, low-risk experiments can help you make decisions and find direction without overwhelming commitment.