The power of doing one thing at a time

photo credit: Diego Corona

The modern world whispers lies about productivity, telling us that juggling multiple tasks simultaneously is the key to success. For women especially, multitasking has been sold as our secret weapon, a natural superpower that sets us apart. But what if this supposed strength is actually holding us back from living authentically and achieving true fulfillment? It’s time to embrace the radical act of doing one thing at a time.

The Problem

The myth of multitasking runs deeper than simple productivity advice. It’s become a cultural expectation that disproportionately burdens women. We’ve been conditioned to believe that our worth lies in our ability to seamlessly balance work presentations while mentally planning dinner, responding to emails during school pickup, and organizing social gatherings while managing household tasks.

This narrative didn’t emerge naturally. The concept of multitasking originated in the 1960s to describe computer functionalities, yet somehow became adapted to define human capabilities, a fundamentally flawed translation. What started as a technical term evolved into gendered expectations, creating the multitasking supermom or superwoman archetype that media and society continue to celebrate.

The reality is far less glamorous. Women multitask not because we’re naturally gifted at it, but because we have to. The pressure to embody the perfect wife, mother, and employee simultaneously forces us into this exhausting pattern. We stretch ourselves thin, believing we’re excelling, when in truth we’re diminishing our capacity to truly shine in any single area.

Research reveals the devastating truth: multitasking actually decreases productivity and increases error rates. Our brains simply aren’t wired to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously. When we attempt to multitask, our prefrontal cortex and hippocampus go haywire, disrupting the harmony our minds crave. Every time we pull our attention away from one task to another, it can take up to thirty minutes to regain that same level of focus.

The Shift

The transformation begins with recognizing that speed is not the answer. In a world obsessed with doing more faster, choosing to slow down becomes a revolutionary act of self care. This shift isn’t about becoming less productive, it’s about becoming more intentional with your precious energy and attention.

Consider this profound truth: you become unique the moment you stop trying to be. The constant juggling act isn’t making you more capable; it’s preventing you from accessing your authentic self. When your identity becomes replaced by your ability to handle multiple demands simultaneously, you lose touch with who you truly are beneath all that doing.

The shift requires embracing what might feel uncomfortable at first - the art of saying no to the multitasking myth. This means challenging the internalized belief that your value comes from how much you can handle at once. Instead, it’s about recognizing that living is not a to do list.

Direction is more important than speed. When you focus on one meaningful task at a time, you’re not just being more productive, you’re honoring your authentic self and creating space for deep, meaningful work that actually moves your life forward.

The How

Implementing single tasking requires both practical strategies and a fundamental mindset shift. Start by curating your life rather than simply reacting to demands placed upon you.

Time blocking for focused attention


Create dedicated blocks of time for individual tasks. Research from University of California, Irvine suggests that blocking single tasks into individual chunks is the most productive approach. During these blocks, eliminate all distractions, close unnecessary browser tabs, silence notifications, and create a sacred space for deep work.

Art of monotasking


Choose one task and commit to it fully. Whether you’re writing an email, having a conversation, or preparing a meal, bring your complete presence to that single activity. Notice how much richer the experience becomes when you’re not mentally juggling three other things.

Boundary setting


Learn to recognize and decline nonpromotable tasks that don’t advance your goals. Women are often asked to take on organizational busywork that helps others but does nothing for their own advancement. Practice saying, I’d love to help, but I’m focusing on specific priority right now.

Creating transition rituals


When you must switch between tasks, create intentional transition moments. Take three deep breaths, step outside briefly, or simply pause to acknowledge the completion of one task before beginning another. This helps your brain reset rather than carrying mental residue from one activity to the next.

Embracing your comfort zone


Contrary to popular self help advice about constantly pushing boundaries can also lead to less meaningful productivity because we each have anlready developed methods that work well, so embrace your comfort zone. There’s profound wisdom in understanding your natural rhythms and working within them rather than against them. Perhaps you don’t need to become anything, what if it’s about unbecoming everything that’s not really you?

The Why

The deeper purpose of single tasking extends far beyond productivity, it’s about reclaiming your authentic identity and creating a life that truly reflects your values.

Neurological harmony


When you focus on one thing at a time, all parts of your brain work harmoniously. This creates a state of flow where your natural capabilities can fully emerge. Instead of fragmenting your mental energy across multiple tasks, you’re channeling it into meaningful, high quality work.

Authentic self expression


Multitasking keeps you in a constant state of reaction, preventing you from accessing your deeper wisdom and creativity. Single tasking creates space for your authentic voice to emerge. You are not lost, you are here and have known where you need to be. When you slow down enough to listen, you can hear that inner knowing.

Quality over quantity


Research consistently shows that focusing on one task produces higher quality results than attempting multiple tasks simultaneously. This isn’t just about work performance, it applies to relationships, creative pursuits, and personal growth. When you give something your full attention, you honor both the task and yourself.

Mental health and well-being


The constant pressure to multitask creates chronic stress and burnout. By choosing single tasking, you’re choosing to protect your mental health and create sustainable patterns of living. Fear and anxiety are created by digesting continuous streams of data, information, news, and comparison to others. Focusing on one thing at a time helps quiet this mental noise.

Reclaiming your power


Perhaps most importantly, single tasking is an act of rebellion against societal expectations that don’t serve you. It’s choosing to disappoint others over yourself when necessary. It’s recognizing that your worth isn’t measured by how much you can juggle, but by how authentically you can show up for what truly matters.

The power of doing one thing at a time isn’t just a productivity hack, it’s a pathway back to yourself. In a world that profits from your scattered attention and endless busyness, choosing focus becomes a radical act of self love. You are enough, and being is progress. Your life doesn’t need to be a performance of constant multitasking. It can be a beautiful, intentional expression of who you truly are, one mindful moment at a time.