Multitasking doesn’t work. But if you are hell-bent on it, there is ONLY one scenario in which it (sort of) works.
You can multitask two actions simultaneously if one of them has become an ingrained habit.
E.g., if you are a good driver, you can listen to a podcast while driving without too much of a problem. But a person who is still learning to drive can’t do that.
Here is why.
When we perform a task deliberately, our prefrontal cortex is controlling its execution and it can only handle one thing at a time.
But when an action is done habitually, its execution is controlled by another part of our brain called the ‘basal ganglia’, which controls automatic actions. Since this is not controlled by the prefrontal cortex, its execution can run in the background.
However, even this is not 100% true. Even good drivers can’t drive 100% on autopilot, especially when something unexpected happens, e.g., a cow coming in front of the car 🙂
Then how do we multitask all the time? We don’t. In reality, our mind is rapidly switching between the two tasks, creating an illusion of multitasking.
E.g., try typing an email while listening to a conference call. When you type, you stop listening to the call. And when you listen, you stop typing or type something garbled.
So when you write, write. When you listen, listen. When you talk, talk.
Do one thing, and do it fully. You really don’t have a choice.
– Rajan