Multitasking: The Modern Myth

In today’s world, obsessed with speed and productivity, multitasking is seen as a must-have skill. Some even treat it like a superpower.It’s held up as the gold standard of performance.And even worse?
People often say women are “naturally good” at it.

But what does science say?
Spoiler alert: the human brain isn’t made for multitasking.no matter your gender. And believing otherwise doesn’t just slow you downit can seriously harm your mental health..

Multitasking Isn’t Real

From a brain science perspective, we can’t fully focus on two complex tasks at the same time.What we call “multitasking” is actually task-switching your brain jumping quickly from one task to another.

Mental Overload, Lower Results

When you constantly switch between tasks, your brain has to “reset” each time. That comes with a cost:

• You lose time (up to 23 minutes to fully refocus, according to UC Irvine)
• You make more mistakes
• You wear out your decision-making center (called the executive system)

And over time, all this leads to: Chronic stress, Irritability, Less creativityand often... Burn-out.

Women & Multitasking: A Gendered Myth to Break

You’ve heard it: “Women are natural multitaskers. They can do it all.”

That belief? Scientifically false.it can Culturally harmful.

The truth:

A 2021 meta-analysis published in Psychological Bulletin (Wang & Taatgen) showedno significant difference between men and women when it comes to multitasking ability.
In other words: no one is built for multitasking. Not women. Not men.

The result? Women feel guilty faster. They burn out more deeply. And they struggle to set healthy limits. This isn’t about talent, it’s about social pressure.

Focus = Power

The best results come fromfull attention,not from trying to do it all. Real power,in today’s world, means being able to focus on one thing at a time.

“Our brain is wired to focus on one task at a time. When we try to do more, we make more mistakes and do everything less well.”

Earl Miller (MIT) , neuroscientist

In my coaching sessions, I see how deeply this belief, that we must do everything at once is rooted, especially in women. They feel they have to be everywhere: Efficient. Available. Responsive. Perfect. This conditioning builds a quiet but heavy pressure. A constant self-demand that wears them out. Together, we work to unlearn that pressure. We bring focus back to the center: Get clear on real priorities Cut out invisible distractions Choose high-impact actions Say no — without guilt And most importantly: Give rest its rightful place Because rest isn’t weakness, it’s a true performance tool when it’s respected and integrated into your rhythm. This shift not only brings back your energy, it also gives you back control of your time. Instead of chasing it… you start leading it. pouvoir sur ton temps, au lieu de le subir.

Multitasking isn’t proof of performance. It’s a survival response.We think we’re saving time, but we lose quality, clarity, and energy. This modern myth feeds a false idea of success… and drains us — especially women, who’ve been told it’s “natural” for them to carry everything.

Today, choosing focusis choosing clarityIt’s daring to slow down so you can go further. Setting limits so you can create better. Doing less, but doing it well.

In coaching and in life, growth doesn’t come from adding more to your to-do list. It comes from learning what to let go.

Because real power? It’s not doing everything. It’s knowing what’s truly worth your attention..

Amal H.