Remember the days when multitasking was widely lauded as an excellent skill for any worker to have? People thought it was a good thing if you’re able to handle numerous tasks at a time, and I’ll bet even you thought you were hot stuff when you were still able to complete a project on time even though you had a bunch of other things on your plate. Oh wait, I think those days aren’t done yet.

Perhaps this new discovery ought to change people’s minds. Recently, results from a UCLA study show that multitasking can actually be bad for you. Even though you might be able to do and complete several things at the same time, you’re not gathering and fully understanding the information in front of you, meaning you’re not mastering things as well as you could be. Apart from that, the stress generated by multitasking can cause your body to release more of a hormone called cortisol, which will eventually lead to obesity, neurological problems, etc.

Funny that this report should come up just when I’ve begun to discover that I badly need to concentrate on one thing at a time. For example, in recent months, I haven’t been able to participate in an online chat and carry on a conversation at the same time, even though I was able to seamlessly do both not so long ago. I’m barely even able to write properly while listening to music, because a few seconds into the song, I’ll be singing my little heart out. Of course, that may just be my inner singer bursting to come out.

I suppose all the fuss over multitasking comes from the fact that being able to juggle numerous things at the same is seen as proof that you are competent and productive. The more you do, the quicker you finish things—that seems to be the idea. But given the stress that come from multitasking—admit it, even if you get things done, you know the whole thing stresses you out, too—one wonders why there’s a need to zip through everything instead of concentrating on and perfecting one thing.

It’s probably because we like everything and everyone to be capable of doing everything. Take mobile phones as an example. They were once used solely for the purpose of transmitting phone calls (Yes! To those who didn’t remember much from that ancient time, phones were only capable of making and taking phone calls!). Today, they’re used for text messaging, surfing the Web, taking photos and videos, and playing thousands of songs, among tons of other capabilities. Even the stay-at-home women of the 50s were expected to look good, raise bright, shiny children, cook excellent meals, maintain a spotless home, and help their husbands unwind after a long day at work.

I don’t think that multitasking is a bad thing if you’re just going through ordinary, everyday tasks. It probably won’t stretch you out if you’re doing the groceries and have to call to set up an appointment with your doctor, nor will having lunch and reading a book at the same time, although combining simple tasks like driving, opening your cup of hot tea, talking on the phone, and looking for something in your purse will most likely land you in the hospital.

When it comes to work as well, you might want to consider giving your multitasking ways a rest. Try to focus exclusively on one project at a time, making sure to perfect every inch of it. That way, you won’t have to worry so much about it afterward and think that you might have screwed up somewhere.

Related link: The Autumn of the Multitaskers