What is monotasking?

The concept of monotasking is pretty simple: do one thing at a time with your full attention.

However, monotasking in the world we live in is harder than it seems.

We are constantly tempted to multitask — by our long to-do lists, by our devices, and by our own brains.

When we do more than one thing at a time, we become less efficient and more error‑prone. Our systems get overloaded and we crash.

So whether you call it monotasking, mindfulness, being present, or any other name, the goal is the same: give your focus to one thing at a time and do it with your all. When we do things with our full focus, completely tuning our bodies and our brains in to one activity — like reading a book, listening to someone in a conversation, or paying attention to our surroundings while we go for a walk —we not only do those activities well, but we can reclaim our attention from the many distractions we face every moment.

So, how do we monotask successfully and sustainably? The answer is not as simple as simply not multitasking. Instead, we need to train our monotasking muscles just like we train other muscles to be good at other things.

• Monotasking muscles can be strengthened by doing everyday activities
• Reading is one of the best ways to build monotasking muscles. Some of the world’s most successful people including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffet, are avid readers. Is that a coincidence? I don’t think so. Reading not only helps us learn about the world, but the act of reading is a monotask that strengthens our monotasking muscles. Then we can use those monotasking muscles to get a lot of stuff done!
• Walking, Listening, Sleeping, Eating, Getting There, Learning, Teaching, Playing, Seeing, Creating, and Thinking are other monotasks. They are activities that you can practice with your full attention and what you get back is stronger monotasking muscles, as well as doing a better job on that tasks, and being more present in what you are doing (and that equates to closer relationships, fewer mistakes, less stress, and much more)
• You will be able to call upon your monotasking muscles for any task (well beyond the list above) at home, at work, or in others parts of your life, if you build up those muscles.
• Strong monotasking muscles will help you pay attention, be more present, and more connected to other people.
• Less multitasking and more monotasking will result in more productivity, less stress, and more happiness in all that you do!

To learn more about monotasking and building your monotasking muscles, read The Twelve Monotasks: Do One Thing at a Time to Do Everything Better. The book has hundreds of ideas for establishing healthy habits, and you’ll be practicing the first monotask while reading the book. Double win!