Our attention spans are decreasing, our ability to concentrate is suffering and a large part of the blame is due to the forgotten art of single tasking.
Multitasking on a daily basis is ruining our focus, and without focus we can never hope to achieve flow state.
As part of the Incredible You! series, we have been exploring flow state.
Flow state is the point of nirvana, the nexus where calm meets performance. It is the moment where everything you have learned is transformed into a ballet of symbiotic events, each one clicking into place with elegant simplicity.
As you flow beautifully from one moment to the next, every passing moment is infused with an intoxicating timing, that feels almost supernatural. Yet somehow also the most normal thing in the world.
When we are in this glorious state of being we call flow, we are not consciously thinking, we are not consciously being, we just are.
At its zenith, it is almost like we are a spectator to our own deeds, watching as our 'other selves' perform to perfection.
We can witness the most obvious instance of flow state when we watch athletes at the top of their game. A person who has found their flow on the sports field is a beautiful thing to watch. It manifests as a form of physical poetry in motion, being woven and spun right in front of our very eyes.
It is not just in the realm of sports that you can find yourself being tugged by the captivating whirlpool of flow.
In our everyday lives we carry out tasks that are so ingrained into our behaviour, that their presence remains forever impinged upon our DNA.
Whether it is playing basketball, or driving a car; debating a friend, drawing a picture or writing an article, the chance to reside in your flow state forever sits within your grasp.
Today we will talk about utilising the immense power of single tasking to induce your flow state.
It could be argued quite successfully, that single tasking is the most important skill you will learn when it comes to achieving and staying in flow state.
I want to tell you about ninja single tasking techniques, however first we must understand the mechanics of single and multitasking, and how they effect our cognitive function.
It is through understanding that we can use our intellect to overcome the imperfections of our evolutionary biology.
~ Cryptogee
Defining Multitasking
Before you learn how to effectively single task, it follows that we should understand fully what multitasking actually is.
Multitasking is not simply the ability to do lots of things at once, we are quite capable when it comes to carrying out a number of things at once.
The human brain uses a form of heuristically, hierarchical, co-optive pattern forming in order to learn and perform tasks.
Put simply, when we carry out a task neurons in our brains fire, and those that fire together, wire together.
For instance in order to drive a car, you are required to carry out several mini tasks. They range from paying attention to the road, to steering the car and everything in between.
As you learn to drive over time, the various small single tasks that need to be carried out in order to make the car move, slowly merge into one mega-task.
So as we can see above just looking at four of the many skills you will need to master when driving that at first driving a car is about acquiring and mastering lots of individual skills.
At that point you could say technically we're multitasking.
After a number of lessons we jump to the next stage of learning, where we are competent but have not quite mastered the basics.
At this point our individual skills are not quite merged, we're still aware of the different components, we are now multitasking. However all the tasks are related to one activity so this is not true multitasking.
Once we have passed our test and have been driving for some time, all of the individual tasks collapse into one big mega-task.
So if the brain works like this; then what's the problem with multitasking; why get so fixated on single-tasking?
We have evolved so that simultaneous lateral thinking about a number of related tasks and problems are second nature.
It is perhaps why we mistakenly think that it is also a good idea to mix mega-tasks with each other.
For instance trying to text really complicated relationship advice to your friend, whilst driving a new car, on a new route, to your new job in advanced Martian economics would be a bad idea.
This is because each mega-task requires hundreds of smaller tasks. So in reality you are attempted to do hundreds of things at once which relate to two things.
So you are asking your brain to sift through all of these conflicting signals in real time without making errors.
Like attempting to fry a perfect egg whilst surfing, something has got to give.
Flow state is virtually impossible to achieve in multitasking mode.
Your Very First Flow State
It is important to understand that you are more than capable of using single tasking to achieve flow state. This is because you have been doing it since you were an infant perhaps as young as six months old!
We are born with the ability to move our limbs and our digits, but not the muscle mass or hand eye coordination to move around.
Eventually we gain strength and balance and a large portion of us start to crawl (some of us shuffle along on our backsides, and some skip straight to walking).
When we do start to crawl we all, at once become aware of the multiple factors that will allow us to crawl.
From positioning and shifting our weight, to balancing in varying positions, all the way through to moving our limbs in the correct sequence.
As a child as you first learned to crawl and later to walk, you were essentially single tasking.
You were a baby in flow state, and you had achieved that state by single tasking over and over again.
Nice going kid!
A Case For Single Tasking
So now we know that generally when we're talking about concentrating on one thing at a time, we really are saying; one group of things.
If we are concentrating on a group of events that all relate to one single mega-task, then we call that single tasking.
Multitasking is the process of switching attention from one mega-task to the other.
Switching attention in this way arrests latent redundancy in the brain, causing it to remaining on full alert. This ultimately leads to fatigue.
In some ways the brain can be said to be like a huge office building with lots of different departments.
The people within the departments need to meet with the boss (you) on a regular basis.
A single-tasking boss only ever has meetings with departments on the same floor as each other, because their duties are very similar.
A multi-tasking boss has meetings with people from all different floors regardless of their job title or role in the company.
In the second instance, each meeting would be very exhausting and confusing for all involved, with a lot less time to get everyone's agenda across.
In order to keep things short, sweet, and to the point (especially as we're talking about concentration and focus!) I have split this subject up into three articles, I figured this was better than a 4000 word article.
So In the coming articles we will look at the science behind multitasking and how it fatigues you, then we will dive straight into how to practice and ready your mind for single task success.
The next two articles in this mini series are:
- Incredible You! Single Task Training - 3 Steps To Flow
- Incredible You! Single Task Training The Final Test -Becoming A Flow Jedi
The Incredible You! Flow State Series:
Incredible You! - Feeling The Flow With The Power Of Touch
Incredible You! - Connect To The Moment And Enhance Your Power With Sound
Incredible You! - Move Like An Animal With Ido Portal
Incredible You! - Finding Your Flow State Superpower
WHAT ABOUT YOU GUYS; DO YOU STRUGGLE TO STAY FOCUSED? HAVE YOU FOUND ANY OF YOUR OWN LITTLE TRICKS AND TIPS TO HELP CONCENTRATION? WERE YOU EVEN AWARE OF THE POWER OF SINGLE TASKING? AS EVER, LET ME KNOW BELOW!
We really have become accustomed to multitasking things well but not doing any of them really well. A lot can be said for being able to stay focused on one task at a time and completely immersing yourself in it.
This is a little off topic but what is you take on supplements that try to help raise your cognitive presence? I have seen a few on the market now that supposedly help you with verbal memory and general cognitive function, something like was used in the film limitless
tip! hide
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your comments :-)
I'm glad you ask about supplements, I personally take Modafinil which helps with concentration and general cognition. It is the first one to have been deemed safe by the WHO and I've been using it for a few years now to no adverse effects.
I tend to take breaks now and again, as with anything, the potency decreases the more you use. I have been interested in trying others, however I haven't found any that interest me.
It was the film Limitless that got me into them in the first place! Whilst Modafinil isn't quite limitless, it's right up there! :-)
By the way, I was on Modafinil while writing this :-D
Cryptogee
That's awesome. Anything that can have you performing at the top of your game without adverse side effects is huge. I'm a big fan of Joe Rogen's podcast and he advertises for alphabrain supplements all the time. I have never personally tried it, just looked at the reviews and I have heard good things.
I haven't heard of alphabrain, I like Rogan, I'm just getting into him, I'll give it a check; thanks for the tip(s) :-)
C-gee
I've been on alphabrain for 2 months in the past to see what the hype was about and like most nootropics, your reactions will vary greatly with your current nutrition and diet level.
Long story short I didn't feel there was a benefit in the 2 months I decided to take it. I'm not saying it doesn't work, but it didn't work for me. I've also tried 2 other brands that I would need to check my Amazon cart to get the names of, but they all have minimal effect on me. I feel high dosage cycles of omega 3 has a significant impact though but I've heard others who day it had minimal impact. ymmv
I read a portion of your article but it is pretty long but so far, it's well put together. I'll have more comments since this is a topic that I'm quite interested in!
Interesting, I'm waiting for one that has as much effect on me as Modafinil . .
Sorry about the length, I tried keeping it down, but it felt weird putting some of this in the next one, which is a lot shorter :-)
C-ogee
nice looking comment sir
Excellent way of introducing us to single tasking. Focus is everything. Focus is power.
We are so accustomed to multitasking that we even forget how it decreases our productivity.
You have it well explained here.
I attended a seminar once on personal development where the speaker told us to do something i will never forget about multitasking and single tasking.
He told us to do two exercises while he timed.
That is write A and write 1 on top and B and 2 on top,until you finish the alphabet.
The results amazed everyone in attendance.
We spent much time doing exercise 1 and very little time doing exercise 2.
That exercise we did showed us the benefit of single tasking and the the demerits of multitasking.
Thanks for this series.
Wow! That is an awesome practical exercise! I've never heard of that one before, it's so good if you can demonstrate your point to people by their own actions.
I am just putting the finishing touches on the remaining 2 articles on this subject. I would very much love to put this into one of them I would like to credit you, or I can keep your name out if you want.
Thanks for your great comments!
C-gee
It is okay you can include it and also my name.
Thanks for reading my very long comment!
Thanks man, and thanks for leaving it :-)
Cg
Great article! I first heard about how important single tasking is in a book called "The Organized Mind" by Daniel J. Levitin.
He talks about how our mind works, how we user our brain to do all kind of tasks, how we can avoid stressing ourselves out with useless information and how to avoid forgetting things, and most importantly, why learning how to focus on one thing at a time is way more important than multitasking.
One argument he gives in his book is that when you multitask and you focus on only one task, your entire brain is focused on that task alone and on whatever that task requires.
For example, if you write an article your brain can focus on several activities at a time related to that particular task and nothing more. Your brain will focus on: writing, checking your spelling, thinking about what to write next, when you need to use commas, etc.
However, if you focus on more things at a time, like writing, watching a video, talking to someone or looking at the phone, your brain has to constantly move between tasks and focus its attention on too many things. That leads to fatigue and to poor concentration and, obviously, poor results.
I didn't think it was true until I tried it and I started to achieve the flow state more and more often, being way more productive than before and getting better results overall.
Great article, and I hope more people read it and understand how much they can get by learning how to work on one task at a time.
Another book that tackles the same subject is "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport. I only had the pleasure to listen to only two chapters (i downloaded the audiobook), but I will surely get back to it when I'll have the time.
Congrats for the article and keep up the good work! :)
Me too! :-)
Thanks for the book reccomendations; I've added them to my reading list, and thanks for your great comments and kind words, I hope you enjoy the following two as well.
C-gee
i used to think multitasking was a virtue until i realized how much pressure i was putting on myself to prove it !! Phew ! not anymore !
Thanks for a lovely insightful post ....following you :)
Yes it's funny, at some point society deified multitasking and we all thought it was the thing to do, we felt lazy if we weren't doing at least two things at once.
Thankfully now, with the help of neuroscience and good ol' common sense, we realise that focusing on one thing at a time is the way to go.
Great gif by the way! :-D
C-gee
Cool write up! I am also suffering from loss of focus with too much multitasking. Tired easily and like not completing anything well. It's really the time to put a halt and restructure my routine.
Make into mini tasks that can have intense focus. Complete and proceed to another one. However, still not that easy to maintain as there will be a lot of distraction along the way. Still in the middle of experimentation. Would love to hear more from the community :)
Please, please, please, make sure you read the next two articles, I have put lots of practical advice in them to help you combat this. It's all well and good knowing we should single task, so I will show you how to train your mind in that area.
Thanks for your comments :-)
C-gee
Cool, will give feedback on your post too @cryptogee!
Wow! very insightful post, thank you. I think the concept of multitasking is at times glorified, and women are usually praised for this attribute. But it divides a person's attention that they can't complete each task to its full capacity or potential. My biggest challenge is that I know I have 1 task a day that is top priority, and although I do give focus on it, I find myself throughout the day switching to other tasks simply because I feel that I am neglecting other important tasks. I mean all tasks are important, so even if I am working on the task that I have selected that day, the back of my mind is full of thoughts like,'Oh my God, you have so many other tasks to complete.' So that divides my attention even though I still physically do the task I was working on. And it's so funny how when you work from home, you notice all the things that need to be cleaned or paid attention to.
Don't beat yourself up about this, as long as you step away from the main task all together before engaging in the new task, that's fine.
Also try and work to your strengths, so if you find you are better in the mornings at certain tasks, and more productive in the afternoons and/or evenings for others, then try and keep the appropriate task to the best time of day.
Tell me about it!!! :-#
C-gee
Thanks for the tips @cryptogee I agree with you on taking advantage of when we are most productive so important stuff get done first. Will definitely give this a try 💪
I like the learning curve that u post. Very encouraging
In order to keep things short, sweet, and to the point (especially as we're talking about concentration and focus!) I have split this subject up into three articles, I figured this was better than a 4000 word article.
Good post! And
Good luck!
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State of flow, to be in the zone or the infinite box (artists on stage). I also like to call it God mode. It is illusive and time bending. It is source of optimal human performance and happiness. In extreme sports usually the choice is to “flow” or die. Good article thank you!
very interesting article :-)
I'd like to have a step-by-step instruction plan on how to reach the flow state. I mean what to think, to do etc. Could you provide us with one?
Take a look at some of @cryptogee's previous posts listed here. He's been exploring this topic in depth for awhile and these posts offer a lot.
I also have been fascinated with this topic for most of my adult life and have found Qi Gong to be an unparalleled tool for increasing the flow state possibilites in each day. I also meditate and do some yoga everyday so maybe it's the combo of all three I'm not sure but none of these practices takes much time and all give back exponentially.
Thank you! :-)
Yes I am writing a step-by-step guide at the moment, I will release it as an audiobook because some of the steps require you to just sit back and focus, which is hard to do if you keep having to break to read instructions, so soon my friend!
In the meantime, you can check out some of the links I put at the bottom of the post, they will give you a good grounding in flow state.
Thanks again!
Cryptogee
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hmm very good content........done upvote .....done comment done resteemeted
intresting
nice article bro ..., voted & resteemed
I'm working on single tasking! Thanks for the article! :)
Cute baby too!! :))
Cool, keep an eye out for the next one tomorrow :-)
Very cute diddums!
Cgee
will do! :))
great post man !!
Haha, great gif, I've wanted to be able to do that a few times :-)
C-gee
very nice
I gave this an up vote and am following you thank you for this educational post.The topic reminds me of Zen the flowing and all reminds me also of that magical moment when the training wheels come off and that first push gives you the triggering of flowing not realizing you are doing it just being in that moment till you look back and realize your doing it your riding it all by your self . will be waiting for the rest of this topic.Cheers.
Even though it was a long time ago, I can still remember that exact moment . .
I also remember riding straight into a wall 30 seconds later because excitement had made me forget about brakes, eek! :-D
Thanks for your comments.
C-gee
Flow state - or as I call it "being present" - is one of my favorite subjects and I get so excited reading about it. It is such a beautiful way to live and I do so much every day to make this a way of life rather than separate seemingly random moments. Of course I am a grasshopper who still has much to learn, but it's a worthy endeavor.
Isn't this just magnificent?!!
"a ballet of symbiotic events, each one clicking into place with elegant simplicity.
As you flow beautifully from one moment to the next, every passing moment is infused with an intoxicating timing, that feels almost supernatural. Yet somehow also the most normal thing in the world".
Your post sheds so much light on what multi-tasking means and clears up the contradictions that seem to fly around in every other discussion I've ever read or had about this subject. Mega-tasks vs single tasks is the key. Many thanks for another brilliant completely enjoyable post @cryptogee!
As ever, thanks for your wonderful comments :-) You have set me off on another train of thinking, I remember watching something the other day about how a stoic always accepts his or her lot and is thankful for any given moment, and I think the two are connected.
Sometimes multitasking is necessary, however these tend to be life and death situations. I can imagine doctors and medical staff in general probably do a fair bit of multitasking.
Of course it has been proved that women are better at multitasking than men, and I think this fact has somewhat misled people into what it actually is and whether it's good or not.
A man might be 'better' at drinking alcohol than a woman, but it doesn't mean that the woman should then go on and try and match him.
I'm glad I'm shedding some light on the subject, and I hope you enjoy the final two as much. They will be much more practical and will give tips on how to avoid multi-mega-tasking :-)
C-gee
I find I am making myself move away from trying to multitask and more to single tasking. I'm calmer and more productive for doing so
Yes, and living up to your name to :-)
Cg
Your Very First Flow State
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