Monotasking in Action: Two Worked Examples
Theory and rituals are helpful, but seeing how monotasking plays out in real-world scenarios makes it more tangible. Let’s walk through two common situations where the pull to multitask is strong and see how applying these principles can make a difference.
Example 1: The Tight Deadline at Work
The Scenario: Sarah is a project manager, and a major client report is due by the end of the day. The pressure is on. Her inbox is filling up with “urgent” requests, and her team is messaging her with questions. Her instinct is to try to do everything at once: write the report, answer emails as they come in, and respond to messages instantly to show she’s on top of things.
The Multitasking Trap: If Sarah gives in to this instinct, her morning will be a blur of context switching. She’ll write one paragraph of the report, then switch to answer an email about a different project. Then she’ll respond to a team chat, losing her train of thought on the report. Each switch drains her mental energy. By noon, she’ll have made very little progress on the report, feel stressed and behind, and her work quality on all fronts will be lower. She’ll likely have to stay late to finish a report that is not her best work.
The Monotasking Solution: Sarah decides to try a different approach.
1. Startup Ritual: She takes five minutes to identify her single most important task: “Complete the first draft of the client report.”
2. Reduce Friction & Communicate: She puts an “away” status on her chat application that says, “Deep focus on client report until 11 AM. Will respond then.” She closes her email client completely. This manages others’ expectations and protects her focus block.
3. Deep Work Block: She sets a timer for 90 minutes and works *only* on the report. When she feels the urge to check her email, she gently reminds herself of her goal and refocuses.
4. Restorative Break: After 90 minutes, she takes a 15-minute break. She gets up, walks to the kitchen to get water, and avoids her phone. This recharges her brain.
The Outcome: By 11 AM, Sarah has a solid draft of the report finished. She feels calm and in control. She then dedicates a separate 30-minute block to process her email and messages efficiently. By monotasking, she completes her most important work to a high standard and still addresses her other responsibilities without the constant stress of juggling.
Example 2: The Noisy Home Environment
The Scenario: David works from home and is trying to learn a new software for his job. His kids are home from school, the dog is barking, and there are household chores nagging at his attention. He feels he should be able to handle it all—watch the training video while tidying the kitchen and keeping an ear out for the kids.
The Multitasking Trap: David tries to watch the training video on his laptop while unloading the dishwasher. He has to rewind the video every few minutes because he missed a key point while putting a plate away. The dog barks, and he loses his place completely. He feels frustrated that he isn’t learning and guilty that he isn’t fully present with his family or chores. He’s doing three things at once, but none of them well.
The Monotasking Solution: David realizes this approach isn’t working and decides to structure his time differently.
1. Redefine the Task & Environment: He acknowledges that learning requires deep focus. He can’t do it in the middle of a busy kitchen. He finds a quiet corner, puts on noise-canceling headphones, and decides on a very small goal: “Watch and understand one 15-minute module of the training.”
2. Time Blocking & Communication: He talks to his family. “I need 20 minutes of quiet time to focus on this important training for work. Can you help me by keeping the noise down just for that long?” This sets a clear boundary.
3. Single-Task Immersion: For 20 minutes, he does nothing but watch the video and take notes. He silences his phone and ignores the temptation to open another tab. He fully immerses himself in the learning process.
The Outcome: In that single 20-minute block, David learns more than he did in an hour of distracted multitasking. He feels a sense of accomplishment. When the block is over, he can fully engage with his family and chores without the nagging feeling that he “should” be working. By separating his activities, he gives his full attention to each one, improving both his learning and his home life. This highlights one of the key benefits of monotasking: being more present in every part of your life.
