The Multitasking Myth: Why You Can’t Juggle Email and Still Do Great Work

How Constant Task-Switching Destroys Focus—and How to Reclaim Your Brain

We’ve all been there: toggling between emails, chats, spreadsheets, and meetings, convinced we’re getting more done. But Cal Newport’s 'A World Without Email' and decades of neuroscience research say otherwise. Our brains are not parallel processors; they’re sequential. Every time you switch tasks, you leave traces of the previous one behind—what scientists call 'attention residue.' This mental drag makes it harder to focus, think creatively, and remember what you’re doing.

Studies show that the typical office worker switches tasks every three minutes, rarely sustaining focus long enough for real breakthroughs. Managers aren’t immune—those who constantly check email neglect strategic thinking and leadership, trading depth for shallow busyness.

The solution? Protect your focus like a precious resource. Batch email checks, schedule deep work blocks, and turn off notifications. Advocate for structured workflows that minimize interruptions, and don’t be afraid to say no to multitasking. When you do, you’ll find that your best work—and your best ideas—emerge from periods of true concentration, not from juggling a dozen tasks at once.