I’ve been spending a lot more time on LinkedIn lately, and for some reason, the platform has committed to helping me find a “real job.” It constantly sends me new job descriptions to peruse. Fair enough, I guess. It’s actually quite entertaining to see what it comes up with as matches for me… and to lurk around a bit to see what those positions entail.

The other day, I came across yet another job posting with a “multitasking” requirement, which prompted me to write this post. *Sigh.* As a productivity and project management pro, let me outline why this type of language is a problem, and why this nonsense needs to stop. Read on, friend… and if you’re an employer – please take copious notes! 📝

About That Toxic “Multitasking” Job Requirement…

If you look closely at 99% of job descriptions in any industry, you’ll find that they have one thing in common – a requirement for “multitasking.” Somehow, “multitasking skills” have become glorified as the the be-all and end-all of employer wants. Potential employers are asking candidates to apply ONLY if they can handle “high-stress environments” and “cope” with an insane laundry list of responsibilities.

This is a huge problem for many reasons, all of which I’ll outline in this post. Let me share with you why “multitasking” isn’t an appropriate ask to make, and how to reframe this once and for all.

The Confusion Around Multitasking

First, let’s address the elephant in the room, which is the fact that “multitasking” doesn’t mean what most employers think it means. So let’s clear up the confusion and define it together, shall we?

Multitasking is “the act of working on more than one task at the same time.” In other words, it’s when we jump between multiple different projects or tasks with no clear attention put on any of them. This is an incredibly counterproductive way to work because it completely derails our focus.

When we attempt to multitask, what we’re actually doing is rapidly switching our attention back and forth between tasks. This constant context shifting not only slows us down, but also increases the likelihood of errors and decreases the quality of our work.

The Argument Against Multitasking

The concept of multitasking has somehow become synonymous with productivity and efficiency, but as I explained in the previous paragraph, the opposite is actually true. Yep, science backs me up on this. Research conducted by neuroscientists at Stanford found that people who multitask are less able to filter out irrelevant information, leading to difficulty in concentrating and reduced cognitive control.

Another study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance revealed that multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%, as compared to focusing on one task at a time. Ouch.

Don’t Confuse Multitasking with Habit-Stacking

Some of the confusion around multitasking may come from fact that people often conflate it with habit-stacking, another productivity technique that actually works. They are very similar, you see, but there is one main difference: multitasking is focusing on two brainy activities at the same time while habit-stacking lets you combine one brainy activity with a non-brainy activity. This makes ALL the difference. An example would be if you go out for a walk and listen to an audio book at the same time. Those are two tasks that are happening at the same time, but because one is physical, it’s not taxing your brain.

Habit-stacking is good (and very effective). Multitasking is not. It’s, in fact, the least effective way to get things done. If you’ve ever tried to hold a conversation with someone who is also reading the news on their phone at the same time, you know just how annoying it can be to witness. You KNOW they’re distracted. C’mon, I’m standing right here!!! The human brain is just not designed to focus on multiple tasks at once. Why on earth anyone would ever voluntarily choose to work this way is baffling to me.

A “Multitasking” Job Requirement is a Huge Red Flag

As an employer putting out a new job description, try your best to avoid the word “multitasking.” Here’s why: when you use it, you’re essentially revealing to your potential candidates that your workplace is a hot mess, and that you need someone who can step into the chaos you have created to straighten it out for you. You’re signaling that you don’t have control over the situation, and you need someone to come save you. That’s not a very attractive offer. Not only does that diminish your leadership, but it also keeps qualified and level-headed candidates from applying. It’s a huge red flag for job seekers.

Reactive Workers Aren’t Effective

To be truly effective, an organized person needs boundaries, and no person with boundaries is going to want to work in a chaotic environment. Using words like “multitasking” will only be attracting martyrs who will react to anything thrown at them. They’ll drop everything on a whim to fix something else that they perceive to be more urgent.

You might argue that someone like that is exactly who you want, but let me clarify something for you: you don’t. It may seem attractive at first, but you’ll be doing yourself and everyone else (including the new hire) a disservice. Workers like that will keep busy – yes – but they won’t actually get anything done. A reactive worker will only add to the current chaos and decrease productivity for the entire team. They need stable environments in order to learn how to thrive, and we need to support them until they learn how to implement the proper boundaries for themselves.

Employers, Be Honest About What You Need

If you’re an employer with a “multitasking” job requirement, here’s what you do next:

Instead of promoting the narrative of a less-than-desirable work environment, reflect on what you really need, and state that using clear language that showcases what’s truly missing at the moment. Honesty wins because it shows self awareness.

Good words for potential candidates include: “adaptable,” “flexible,” and “action-oriented.” Even using phrases like “ability to focus,” “ability to prioritize” and “strong project management skills” work well. Anyone who has project management skills are going to be able to handle a lot by default, so you don’t have to worry about them not being able to keep up. By being real, you’ll attract better quality applicants.

What Boundary Benefits Exist?

The modern worker is looking for more work-life balance. More spacious calendars. We need it becayse of the constant barrage that the remote world, smartphones, and instant communication have brought us. Like it or not, the pandemic changed a lot of things and this is one of the bigger draws. It’s not longer acceptable to ask workers to spend countless extra hours sitting behind a desk instead of spending time with family or getting fresh air, so let’s roll with the times and promote better boundaries – for everyone.

When writing job descriptions for any new position, highlight the boundary benefits that exist within your company. What are the pros of working for you that would help sway someone in terms of work-life balance? Do you host retreats for your employees? Does your company have shorter work weeks than others? If so, mention that! If you have none, rethink that decision.

Let’s Abandon Unrealistic Timelines

Unrealistic timelines is one of the biggest workplace problems we’re facing nowadays. Employees are often given too many projects to finish to begin with, but on top of that, they’re under tight deadlines that are completely ridiculous. “Hey Sarah, you know that project that was originally supposed to last for 5 months? Well, we need you to finish it by the end of the week. You have no life outside of work anyway, right? Oh, and we allocated your resources to another project, so just figure it out without them.” *Sigh*

The hard truth is this: As a project manager, you can schedule as many projects as you want and push for them to be finished by a certain deadline, but if your team isn’t equipped with the resources to handle them, they will not get completed. No amount of wishful thinking is going to change that fact. Solid project management skills need to flow from the top down, so that realistic project timelines can be created and implemented without road blocks.

Promote a Desirable Workplace Environment

To create a truly productive workplace culture, the working environment needs to support the ability to prioritize and focus. The best investment any employer can make it to put continuous efforts on creating a desirable workplace environment, so it attracts team members who are true rock stars. People who want to work there and value the opportunity to do so. That’s what going to bring the real results.

Follow the Scandinavian Model

As a native Scandinavian, I grew up witnessing how clear boundaries between home life and work life benefited productivity overall. That’s why many companies up north adhere to 4-day work weeks and give workers ample time off, both for vacations and maternity/paternity leave. Studies clearly show that it’s working. People are happier and get more done. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland all rank among the happiest countries in the world, year after year. Take the hint, and follow their model.

Invest in Advancing Project Management Skills

If you find yourself with a workplace that’s a hot mess, reflect on what can be done about it.

When employees are expected to multitask, they end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed, which leads to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, bitterness, and ultimately, quitting. That’s not what you want. Your work environment may be “high-pressure,” but it should not be “high-stress.” Those two definitions are not the same. Similarly, your workplace may be fast-paced. That’s fine. It should not be chaotic. A big misconception is that a work place has to be stressful in order to get things done. Not so. Stressful is one thing. Fast-paced is another. What we need is more focus.

Are you and your employees overstretched? If so, that’s a project management issue, not a time management issue. Invest in training for yourself and your workers. Nobody thrives in an environment like that, and the sooner you fix it, the better. I promise you, the ROI will be worth it!

Embrace a Single-Tasking Mindset

So, what can we do to move away from the multitasking mindset?

Well, instead of perpetuating the idea that multitasking is somehow a strength, let’s prioritize productivity and project management skills. Rather than spreading themselves thin across multiple tasks, employees should be encouraged to tackle one task at a time, dedicating their full attention and energy to achieving optimal results. This approach leads to a whole host of other benefits, most importantly deepened impact and job satisfaction. By fostering a culture of mindfulness and single-tasking, you will also promote employee well-being and enhance overall productivity in the long run. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Job Seekers, Here’s What Employers Really Want

Finally, let me address any job seekers in the audience.

Any time you’re reading a job description and you see the word “multitasking” or phrase “must have the ability to multitask” on there, read between the lines. Employers actually don’t want to hire distracted workers. Nobody likes distractions. They actually mean the opposite; they’re just not able to articulate it.

What employers really mean by using the word “multitasking” is a desire to find an employee who possesses the invaluable ability to navigate high-stress and fast-paced environments with resilience and composure. Without panicking. Without overwhelm creeping in and taking over. In other words, someone organized and efficient.

In order to be a sought-after candidate in today’s global workforce, you’ll need solid project management skills. Invest in learning how to be organized in your personal life and those skills will transfer. There won’t be any lack of opportunities then. If you can also keep your composure under pressure, you’re all but set for life. The world needs it.

Let’s Redefine Work!

Please join me in dispelling the myth of multitasking, so that we can instead embrace a more mindful approach to work. Let’s redefine it for the next generation. Let’s abandon toxic work environments and unrealistic deadlines that only get pushed back anyway. What’s the point in that approach?

By recognizing the limitations of multitasking and prioritizing focus and concentration, we can create healthier, more productive work environments where all workers – including you (as the leader) – can thrive and succeed. A low-stress, but high-impact workplace is the classic recipe for massive success.

Are you in?

Featured Photo Courtesy of Magnet.me

• About the Author
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Caroline Guntur Organizing & Productivity Coach

Hi there! I’m Caroline, and I’m here to help you get organized and be more productive, so that you can live better and have time for what matters.

www.theswedishorganizer.com

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