Do you ever feel hyper-alert when you’re multitasking?

You’ve got multiple tabs open on your computer, bouncing between social media, email, and the project you need to bust out by noon. And you are “on!”

You’re juggling multiple client issues like a seasoned pro…not batting an eye. Aren’t those days awesome?

It’s a high unlike any other…but it does have a dark, addictive side to it.

Author of “Stressaholic: 5 Steps to Transform Your Relationship with Stress“ Heidi Hanna says stress is a drug…” multiple demands on our time and energy have caused a neurochemical dependence on stress.” She goes on to say that 90% of medical visits are a result of stress and the accompanying inflammation that goes with it.

It’s critical to note that inflammation has been linked to pain and difficulty sustaining focus and follow-through.

Did you know your brain has “zero” multitasking ability?

I know.

WHAT!

Multi-tasking is a time & energy thief disguised as a productivity tool.

We’ve been sold on this false premise for years.

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. in her article in Psychology Today, says:

“Much recent neuroscience research tells us that the brain doesn’t really do tasks simultaneously, as we thought (hoped) it might. In fact, we just switch tasks quickly. Each time we move from hearing music to writing a text or talking to someone, there is a stop/start process that goes on in the brain.”

That “stop then restart process” for each switch between tasks slows us down and sucks heightened focus out of our sails.

Not only that, but when you have trained your brain and body (based on what you do daily) to operate like this, you turn on high beta brain waves and keep your brain in constant stimulation.

Over time, it can lead to emotional, physical, and decision fatigue.

I discussed this last week with Helen, a wonderful woman I met at the Pittsburgh Social Exchange networking event at Enix Brewery in Homestead, PA.

She talked about how overwhelmed she feels by all the daily decisions she has to make in her business. Unfortunately, overwhelm compounds just like interest and creates the state of not being able to see all the options available.

That means you’re making decisions.

Remember the commercial from years ago: This is your brain on drugs?

That’s why Sarah, a Financial Sales Executive in a Florida-based company, was astounded to learn that part of her exhaustion resulted from her brain having too many choices/decisions from living in multitasking mania.

Her brain was overloaded & attempting the impossible feat of focusing on everything at once. Worse, she was never achieving a flow state of mind, so she didn’t experience a deeper level of enjoyment in her work.

Chemically, she was knee-deep in high beta brain waves, which triggered the release of cortisol (the weight gain hormone)…and other stress hormones that interfered with her ability to sleep peacefully. 

She described feeling like she was always in high gear but not achieving the results she knew she was capable of.

So, when she would meet with a potential client or referral source, she was still in a high beta brainwave state…

…mentally in several places simultaneously rather than fully present and perceptive to the subtle communication cues being conveyed by the person in front of her.

After a few weeks of working together, she told me:

I love feeling present and able to listen on a deep level when I’m speaking with prospects. I’m noticing the nuances, as you like to say. After we concluded our introductory meeting, they said they had never felt so heard and understood!  The best part has been how our sessions have helped my husband and kids grow closer.  Thank you. Thank you!”

Does Multitasking Affect Your IQ?

The Institute of Psychiatry at the University of London studied 1,100 workers to find out.

“Pop quiz:

Which of the following activities temporarily reduces your IQ by 10 points?

A. Smoking marijuana

B. E-mailing while talking on the phone

C. Losing a night’s sleep

D. Watching two hours of “Saved by the Bell” reruns”

the correct answer is B.

They found that multitasking with electronic media caused a greater decrease in IQ than smoking pot or losing a night’s sleep!”

Bottom line: Studies show when you’re in high beta brain waves from multitasking, you’re constantly stressed, overstimulated, and putting yourself at risk for depression and burnout.

Been there. Drank the Kool-Aid, and I’m happy to say there are much more powerful and creative ways to achieve your life and business goals.

Better Results Without Multi-Tasking

If you’ve been a multi-tasking maniac as I used to be, you’re probably wondering…

But how do I leap tall mountains of information and tasks without it?

Well, remember – your brain can’t multi-task, but you can hack your way into “the zone” to double or triple your productivity.

Yep. More done. Less time.

Feeling amazing while you do it…so you are firing on all cylinders when you ask for the sale or seek “buy-in” from your employees

…or even get your spouse or kids to listen for a change!

Ready to get into “the zone” and put multitasking mania to bed for good?

Check out my article Increase Productivity with 3 super simple hacks.

Contact me today to schedule a time to discuss how you can grow your impact and income WITHOUT frying your brain!

Darlene Karpaski

Creator of the Influence to Income Blueprint & Limitless Life Mastery

Founder & CEO of Your Mission to Money