Zavia Pittman

Opinions Writer

Multitasking is one of the most highly coveted skills in the world today. Most people try to do several things simultaneously rather than one thing at a time. You’ll typically find me trying to do at least five things simultaneously. On average, I have 10 tabs open on my laptop (13 at the time of writing this), all of which pertain to different things. No matter how many things I do, I feel I could and should be doing more. And I’m sure most of my peers feel the same way.

You may be in several clubs, working several jobs, or simply pursuing various interests. In any case, most folks are spreading themselves as thin as possible. And it makes sense in a society that praises productivity. This culture of productivity has seen a rise in the last couple of years, and so much content gives us tips on how to get more done in a short time. 

Of course, this reflects the job market as well. Most employers explicitly state that multitasking is a prerequisite to being hired. We regularly view people who can multitask as more competent than the average person, and therefore, we push ourselves to meet that goal. Believing that you’re good at multitasking can boost your self-esteem, but it also can feel like you don’t have a choice, especially if you want to be successful.

But what do we lose when we do so much?

The vast majority of people often fail at many of those tasks, and this failure can then make you feel inadequate. And even if you find some way to be extra productive and do everything right, eventually, you’ll be burnt out. We tend to vastly overestimate what we can handle both physically and mentally.

I’m not saying that we are weak because we’re quite resilient in the grand scheme of things. However, regardless of that resilience, we are not machines — and even machines overheat and malfunction when they are overworked. 

I’ve felt like this countless times, but like many people, I usually think that I just need to work harder. And when I can’t do that, I feel deficient. Thankfully, I understand now that being unable to be hyper-productive doesn’t mean I am incapable of anything. In times like these, it’s essential to realize that being productive should never come at the expense of our health. Take that feeling as an opportunity to step back and focus on one or two things at a time.

At first, it may feel like you are missing out on opportunities or falling behind, but that’s usually untrue. If anything, you’re building your capacity for more things. There’s a concept called the SAID (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand) principle, which states that the more you do a particular task, the more your body will adapt to complete that task. You’ll improve at that one thing, and then you can move on to the next.

Believe me when I say I’m writing this just as much for me as I am for you. It reminds me I can’t do everything, but my dreams won’t fade if I’m not always working. Know that overall progress comes with time, and trying to rush things by being overproductive won’t help you in the long run. Don’t get so caught in the hustle that you lose yourself. As clichéd as it may seem, take it one step at a time.