Why Being In The Flow Always Wins Over Multitasking And Improves Productivity
Fabienne Prevoo is a Career Coach, who empowers corporate senior leaders to lead with confidence and transition to their dream careers. Her “Dream Career Coaching Program” is a customized system for leaders who feel unfulfilled or stuck in their current careers.
Embracing the flow state, where focus and creativity align, consistently outperforms the scattered efforts of multitasking. By fully immersing yourself in a single task, you not only enhance productivity but also achieve higher-quality results and greater satisfaction.
One of the biggest obstacles we face today is technology and the distraction it brings.
Let’s face it: We are on video call on our computer, but at the same time, we are answering an urgent email on our phones. Then, again, we look back at our computer screen to see multiple chat messages popping up.
Then we notice another message pops up on our phone. It is a link to a popular Instagram reel in one of our WhatsApp groups, and before you know it you spend 20 minutes scrolling through your Instagram feed.
When we finally arrive home at the end of another busy working day, we miss half of the conversation at the dinner table and do not properly taste the food, because we are again distracted by notifications on our phones and digital watches.
Unfortunately, people who multitask often are convinced that they are very efficient, but the opposite is true. Research has proven multiple times that people who multitask are the least productive.
Why is that?
Because our brains can filter a lot of information, but process information only bit by bit. If we say we multitask, what happens is that we are rapidly switching tasks. As a result, all our energy goes into this switching instead of focusing properly on one task.
Why is focusing on one task important?
Concentrating on one task is necessary to get into the flow.
If we work in an environment that distracts us or don’t have control over what we do all the time, we cannot focus our attention on the task at hand.
New technologies support us if we have control. However, once technology starts taking over control, we start feeling stressed. Our tasks control us, making us lose valuable time and energy over multitasking. Also, we easily make mistakes and struggle to remember what is being said or done.
Studies have shown that productivity drops by 60% when somebody is multitasking. In addition, it was proven in research that people who are addicted to their phones have lower sleep quality, feel less connected to other people, and show more symptoms of depression.
The latter is not surprising since multitasking also impacts your social life. After all, you fail to listen and connect with the people surrounding you when you constantly find yourself distracted by messages or checking social media on your phone.
Finally, multitasking hurts your creativity. Creativity starts to flow when you have headspace, but multitasking eats all of this.
If you find yourself constantly multitasking, it takes a mindset shift to realize that you will be more productive by being in the flow.
Let’s start by exploring the advantages of being in the flow
According to the Japanese concept of “Ikigai”, being in the flow is one of the secrets to a long and happy life.
The advantages described in the Ikigai bestseller book are numerous
Having a calm and focused mind that does not jump from one thing to another.
Living in the moment instead of thinking about the past or future. There is an absence of worry because we focus on the present.
Experiencing a sense of control, because we are 100% engaged in the task.
Having the ability to prepare our activities solidly.
Knowing what to do instead of constantly feeling stuck not knowing what to do next.
Having a clear mind that overcomes obstacles, thereby eliminating worrying and self-doubt.
Feeling excited and energized instead of bored and drained.
Enjoying an environment without distractions such as technology or people surrounding you.
Benefiting from the absence of frustration and self-criticism, because being in the flow feels effortless. We get things done easily versus blaming ourselves for not finishing all our action list items.
Now that you know why being in the flow wins over multitasking, you probably are curious to understand what you can do to shift your mindset and improve productivity.
How to stay in the flow and train our brains to focus on one task at a time?
Here is a list of simple things to implement that sound obvious, but are often neglected
Start and end your day without any screens.
Switch off your phone, or if this scares you too much put it on don’t disturb mode, before you want to engage in your activity.
Spend a couple of hours every weekend, or a day if you dare, without electronic devices. Talk to people or watch people in a café without using the internet.
Read and answer emails twice a day during a specific time. Determine your time for this and stick to it.
Apply the “Pomodoro-technique”: work 25 minutes on a task without distraction followed by a 5-minute break. You can also choose 50 minutes activity with 10 minutes break if that suits you better.
Implement tiny habits to start your focused activity and give yourself a reward afterward to recognize your achievements.
Train your brain to notice when your thoughts are dwelling and focus on the now. Choose activities that help you train your brain, such as mindfulness, meditation, walking, and swimming. Even taking a few deep breaths will help you raise your consciousness.
Work in an environment without distractions. If your workplace is too noisy, or there are too many people around you, change your working location. Also, check your working spot and eliminate any items that distract you.
Change your scenery: work in different rooms at home or spend a couple of hours working from a library or coffee café instead of the office.
Collect administrative and repetitive tasks that you can do during a one-hour time block at the end of your working day, for example making short phone calls and approving invoices.
While these might sound like open doors, many struggle to implement them and change their routines.
If you need someone to hold you accountable and help you change from multitasking to being in the flow, apply for a career coaching chemistry call to see if we are a fit.
Fabienne Prevoo, Career Coach for Senior Leaders
Fabienne Prevoo is a Career Coach, who empowers corporate senior leaders to lead with confidence and transition to their dream careers. Her “Dream Career Coaching Program” is a customized system for leaders who feel unfulfilled or stuck in their current careers. She also provides leadership training to companies and organizes one-day retreats for women. Her mission is to lead her best life and help her clients lead theirs with balance, passion, and fulfillment.
