Why multitasking makes you less productive

Welcome to The Smarter Brain, a curation of thought-provoking ideas and actionable reads to help you build better habits and become more productive.

Happy reading - See you on Sunday!

Cheers,

The Smarter Brain Team

Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins

3 Ideas for Better Habits

Time Is Enough

Productivity strategist Gary Keller explains why real progress comes from focus, not doing more.

“It is not that we have too little time to do all the things we need to do , it is that we feel the need to do too many things in the time we have.”

Source: The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results

The Gift of Time

Behavioral design expert Nir Eyal highlights how attention is the true currency in today’s world.

“Empowering children with the autonomy to control their own time is a tremendous gift. Even if they fail from time to time, failure is part of the learning process.”

Source: Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life

Dive Into Deep Work

Computer science professor Cal Newport warns that shallow multitasking erodes creativity and output.

“To produce at your peak level you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction. Put another way, the type of work that optimizes your performance is deep work.”

Source:  Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Productivity Tools and Resources

Why Multitasking Drains Your Brain

Switching tasks might feel productive, but neuroscience shows it creates cognitive fatigue, more mistakes, and slower progress. Single-tasking improves clarity and accelerates performance. This piece breaks down why your brain simply isn’t built for multitasking.

Melinda Gates on Multitasking Myths

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates shares how multitasking hurt her productivity and clarity. By trying to juggle too many things at once, she became scattered and less effective. She explains why doing fewer things with focus leads to better results and stronger decision-making.

Focus With Freedom

Freedom is a digital tool that blocks distractions across devices, helping you protect your time and energy. Whether working, studying, or unplugging, Freedom ensures you stay focused on what matters most - giving you space for clarity and calm.

Plant Your Productivity

The productivity app Forest gamifies focus by turning phone-free minutes into growing virtual trees. The longer you stay off your device, the more your forest thrives. It’s a mindful way to stay productive, nurture focus, and make progress while also having a positive impact on the planet.

What We're Reading

Productivityist Weekly Newsletter - Actionable strategies for time management, better habits, and working smarter. Each issue is packed with tips and reflections that reduce overwhelm and boost clarity.

3-2-1 Thursday Newsletter - James Clear shares 3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question each week to sharpen your thinking. A simple, timeless format to help you live with intention and clarity.

Brain Food

Today I Learned: People make up to 50% more errors and take longer when switching between tasks. (Source)

Science: Media multitasking is linked to lower gray matter density in the anterior cingulate cortex, a key region for cognitive control. (Source)

Have a productive rest of your week,

The Smarter Brain Team

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