The more complex the tasks, the more time we lose by multi-tasking. In fact, researcher David Meyer, PhD says that we lose as much as 40% of our time when trying to “task switch” between 2 complex tasks. What does this look like in real life?
- Simpler Tasks: If we lose a few seconds of efficiency when preparing an afternoon snack because we are also talking on a video call with a friend, little harm is done. This might not be a multitasking decision we regret.
- Complex Tasks: If we attempt 2 complex tasks together, like reading and responding to a text while driving, we are likely to lose more time than with simpler tasks. This could mean more concerning consequences since a driver could crash into an obstacle that would be otherwise avoided.
The researchers urge us to consider, “Understanding the hidden costs of multitasking may help people to choose strategies that boost their efficiency – above all, by avoiding multitasking, especially with complex tasks.”