Multitasking and Productivity Effects

False: Multitasking makes you more productive

A landmark study (Rubinstein, Evans & Meyer, 2001) found task-switching can cut productivity by up to 40%. Other research shows multitaskers take 50% longer and make up to 50% more errors, and office workers need an average of 25 minutes to fully refocus after an interruption. Only about 2.5% of people can multitask effectively at all — everyone else is just switching rapidly and paying a cognitive tax each time.