If You Want To Stay Mediocre – Keep on Multitasking

Multitasking is a myth.

It is physically impossible to perform two conscious acts at one time.

Neurologically, the human brain is only capable of performing one conscious task at a time.

When you switch to another task, one set of neurons turns off and a new set of neurons are are turned on.

If you continuously switch from one set of neurons to the another set of neurons, you lose efficiency and tax your brain.

This is known as “multitasking”.

Multitasking consumes too much brain fuel (oxygen and glucose or ketones) and wears out your brain.

Those who pride themselves as great at multitasking are actually burning much more brain fuel and using their brains inefficiently.

Don’t believe me? Here’s a little exercise to prove that those who multitask are far more inefficient than those who focus on one task at a time:

EXERCISE #1

1. Take out a piece of paper and draw a horizontal line across the middle of the page. On the top portion of the page I will ask you to write the words: I AM A GREAT MULTITASKER.
2. On the bottom portion of the page, write the numbers 1 through 20. Example, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

It should have taken you about 15 seconds to write out the words: I AM A GREAT MULTITASKER.

It should have taken you about 35 seconds to write out the numbers 1 through 20.

EXERCISE #2

Now, I would like you to turn the page over and draw the same horizontal line across the middle of the page.

This time I would like you to time yourself as you perform both tasks simultaneously (at the same time).

For example, write the letter I and then write the number.

1. Then write the letter A and write the number
2. Then write the letter M and write the number
3. Keep doing this until you have completed the words: I AM A GREAT MULTITASKER and you have completed writing all of the numbers from 1 through 20.

It should have taken you about two minutes, or twice as long, to perform EXERCISE #2  as it did to perform EXERCISE #1.

Self-made millionaires do not multitask.

They focus like a laser on completing one task at a time.

Focusing on one task at a time, until you complete the task, is a Rich Habit.

Multitasking is a Poverty Habit.

If you want to be successful in life, you must walk in the footsteps of the wealthy.

And, the yellow brick road, self-made millionaires walk, is paved with Rich Habits.

About Tom Corley Tom is a CPA, CFP and heads one of the top financial firms in New Jersey. For 5 years, Tom observed and documented the daily activities of wealthy people and people living in poverty and his research he identified over 200 daily activities that separated the “haves” from the “have nots” which culminated in his #1 bestselling book, Rich Habits – The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals. Visit the website: www.richhabits.net