As a biology student, my days were a blur of textbooks and lab work. I also engaged in “preparaduría,” serving as a mix of a lab assistant and a lab teaching technician. I thought the key to managing it all was to do everything at once. I’d try to memorize pathways while listening to YouTube videos or highlight a chapter while texting a friend. I was a professional juggler. However, my mental circus was exhausting. As a result, the quality of my work was suffering. What’s worse, I even took books and notebooks with me to family events (such a nerd, I know).

It was during this time that I discovered The Fabulous app—just as they were first launching. This app was a game-changer. It introduced me to the concept of focus blocks and the idea of deep work. I consciously tried to block distractions for the first time. I also set aside dedicated time for a single task.

It was a simple ritual, but it felt revolutionary: I started writing my daily to-do list on paper. I put my phone away and silenced notifications. Then, I set a timer. And with that, I took one of the best dives into the world of self-development I’ve ever had.

The Science Behind Why Multitasking Is a Myth 🧠

My own struggles confirmed what the science tells us: true multitasking is a myth. Our brains aren’t wired to do two complex tasks at once. What we’re actually doing is task-switching, and every time we do it, our brains pay a cost.

• It’s a “Switch Cost“: According to sources like the American Psychological Association (APA), every time you switch from one task to another, there is a cognitive cost. This is the mental effort needed to disengage from the first task and re-engage with the new one. Researchers found that this constant context switching can reduce your productivity by as much as 40%.
• More Errors, Less Quality: When you’re constantly toggling between tasks, your brain is more likely to make mistakes. This explains why my biology notes felt sloppy and my research papers had more errors.
• Mental Fatigue: The constant switching overloads our working memory, leading to exhaustion. It’s the reason I felt so drained at the end of my long days.

What Happened When I Stopped Multitasking

The change wasn’t instant, but it was profound. Nah, I’m lying, it was almost instant AND profound. When I focused on a single task at a time (a practice called monotasking), I started to see a shift.

1. My Productivity Skyrocketed: My work output increased dramatically. By giving each task my undivided attention, I was able to get more done in less time.
2. The Quality of My Work Improved: Whether it was a lab experiment or proofreading and editing an article for a client, my work became more thoughtful and well-executed. I could focus on the details without being distracted.
3. I Found My Flow State: The constant mental chatter quieted down. By eliminating distractions, I was able to enter a state of deep focus where I was completely absorbed in my work, and time seemed to fly by.
4. Less Stress and More Clarity: The mental burden of juggling tasks was gone. I felt more in control of my day, and the stress melted away.

I still have a special place in my heart for that Fabulous app. My journey with it was not without its challenges. I share my opinion about The Fabulous here, if you want to take a look. It was the first step on a path that led me to where I am today, helping others as a virtual assistant and an accountability partner. The lesson is simple but powerful. The most productive thing you can do is to focus on one thing at a time. This is important for your time management.

About the Author:
I’m Astrid, a biologist who made a career shift to become a virtual assistant and an accountability partner. My journey from the world of science to customer service and freelancing has given me a unique perspective on life, and I sometimes share it here on WordPress.

Do you need a capable and reliable accountability partner? Contact me on Fiverr or LinkedIn.