Frequently Asked Questions About Monotasking
As you begin to explore monotasking, questions and obstacles will naturally arise. This is a different way of working, and it can feel counterintuitive at first. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear at TheFocusedMethod.com.
Is it okay to listen to music while working? Isn’t that multitasking?
This is a great question that gets to the heart of what defines a “task.” The key distinction is whether an activity requires your cognitive attention. For many people, listening to certain types of music—especially instrumental, ambient, or electronic music without lyrics—can actually support focus. It can help block out distracting background noise and signal to the brain that it’s time to work.
However, if the music has lyrics you’re tempted to sing along to, or if it’s so engaging that you’re actively listening to it, then it becomes a competing task. It starts to consume cognitive resources that could be dedicated to your primary work. The test is simple: does the background sound support your focus or divide it? Experiment with different types of audio, including white noise or silence, to find what works best for you. This isn’t a failure of monotasking; it’s a way of optimizing your sensory environment for deep work.
But isn’t multitasking a necessary skill in today’s world? My job demands it.
This is a very common belief, often fueled by job descriptions that list “ability to multitask” as a required skill. What employers usually mean is that they need someone who can handle multiple projects or responsibilities and can shift between them gracefully. They need someone who is agile and can manage a varied workload, not someone who is literally writing an email and talking on the phone at the exact same time.
The monotasking approach is actually the best way to meet these demands. By focusing intensely on one project for a set block of time, you make more meaningful progress. Then, you can switch your focus completely to the next project. This is “serial monotasking,” not simultaneous multitasking. It allows you to give each responsibility the high-quality attention it deserves, leading to better outcomes and less stress than frantic, parallel switching. You can be a highly effective employee who manages many things by handling them one at a time.
What if I just don’t feel motivated to start? How does monotasking help with that?
A lack of motivation is often a symptom of overwhelm. When a task feels too big, too complex, or too daunting, the natural response is to avoid it. Multitasking is a common avoidance strategy; it lets us feel busy without facing the big, scary task.
Monotasking directly addresses this by forcing you to shrink the task down to a manageable size. The goal is not to “complete the entire project.” The goal is to “work on this one small piece for 15 minutes.” By setting an incredibly small, non-intimidating entry point, you lower the barrier to getting started. Anyone can do something for 15 minutes. Often, that’s all it takes to build momentum. Once you start and make a little progress, motivation often follows. Motivation isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you create with action, and monotasking makes that first action as easy as possible.
I’m great at focusing during the day, but I can’t shut my brain off in the evenings. Any advice?
This is where the Shutdown Ritual becomes so critical. The inability to switch off is often caused by “attention residue”—the lingering thoughts of an unfinished task that follow you after you’ve stopped working on it. When you end your day by abruptly closing your laptop, your brain is left with all these open loops, which it will continue to process in the background.
A deliberate shutdown ritual, as described earlier, is the solution. By taking 5-10 minutes to review your day, capture any lingering to-dos for tomorrow, and tidy your space, you are sending a clear signal to your brain that the work is contained and the day is complete. This process of externalizing your thoughts onto a list or plan allows your mind to let go. It provides the psychological closure needed to transition fully into your evening, so you can rest and recharge properly.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or psychological advice. Always consult with a qualified health professional for any health concerns or before making any changes to your lifestyle. For authoritative information, please visit recognized sources such as the American Psychological Association or the National Institutes of Health.
