Mono-Tasking: The Secret To Becoming More Productive By Doing Less

Every day, most of us have a mental to-do list with about 497 tasks (honestly, it’s probably more than that), and we THINK that multi-tasking is the only way to get anything done. We set ourselves up with multiple everything – screens, apps, browser tabs, lists, schedules, notifications, etc. – because we’ve been taught that multi-tasking is the best way to be productive. 

For many of us, this actually leads to feeling constantly scattered and overwhelmed, and we usually tend to get LESS done. Let’s talk about mono-tasking along with time blocking and how it’s a total game-changer when it comes to productivity and powerful goals!

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The real problems with multi-tasking became especially evident to me when I started working from home, while also juggling ‘mom’ duties at the same time. 

At my former job, I could simultaneously answer the phone, work on the computer, verify a visitor’s identity, let them into the building, and slap a bandage onto a student’s scraped knee without even thinking about it. Those tasks – and about a hundred others – were what I did all day, every day, all at the same time. That’s one form of multi-tasking, but does it work for every situation?

When I’m at home, no! And I truly suspect it’s not just me who deals with this issue.

Say 5 things need to be done:

1. Laundry.
2. Bake cookies.
3. Check and reply to email.
4. Pick up around the house.
5. Write and publish a blog post.

If I were using the multi-tasking method, I would be trying to do all 5 things at once, a few minutes here and there, constantly getting up, switching tasks, and getting distracted. Unless you’re wired for multi-tasking (most people are NOT, even if they think they – especially if they’re female because ‘women are good at multi-tasking’), something is going to suffer. In my case, it’s usually the cookies. As in, burned cookies. Every. Single. Time.

It doesn’t matter how often I tell myself, ‘I’m just going to pop this tray into the oven and start a load of laundry. I’ll be right back.’

30 minutes later I have sorted and started a load of laundry, picked up the living room, vacuumed the hard floors (notice that was NOT on the list), checked my email, made some notes for the unfinished blog post that should have been published yesterday, gone to the freezer to get something out for dinner for the next day (again, NOT on the list), and come back into the house to smell burned cookies.

*sigh*

The thing is, even now that I’m an empty nester, I can tell when I’ve been multi-tasking because I’m exhausted at the end of the day and NOTHING is actually finished. Feeling like I want to do too many things and ending the day exhausted but with little to show for it is frustrating. 

Fortunately, I now know how to fix that. So, if multi-tasking doesn’t really work, then what? Let’s discuss mono-tasking…

What Exactly is Mono-Tasking?

The other choice, and what works better for me, is mono-tasking. In its most basic form, mono-tasking is beautifully simple. It means dedicating your focus to one single task for a specific block of time. Instead of frantically switching between different tasks – each of them probably in different locations – you give one thing your undivided attention. 

This stands in stark contrast to multi-tasking, where we attempt to divide our focus across several unrelated activities simultaneously. While we might feel busy, research and real-life experience (like my baking adventures) show that this constant switching often leads to more errors, takes longer overall, and leaves us feeling drained. 

Mono-tasking is about intentional focus, allowing for deeper concentration during your dedicated work time. If you’re always feeling scattered and like you’re constantly running in circles with no results, then making this shift is a foundational step in getting your life together.  

The Undeniable Benefits of Mono-Tasking

Shifting from juggling to focusing offers some significant advantages for your daily life and overall well-being:

• Boost Your Productivity: When you concentrate on one thing, you complete it faster and often with better quality. It’s a straightforward way to be more efficient and create a truly productive day.
• Sharpen Your Focus: Regularly practicing mono-tasking trains your brain to resist distractions. This naturally enhances your concentration and mental clarity, improving your organization skills.
• Lower Stress Levels: Constantly switching gears is mentally taxing. Focusing on one task at a time can give you a sense of calm and control, helping you simplify life.
• Improve Work Quality: Giving a task your full attention allows you to catch errors, think more deeply, and produce a better outcome, whether it’s a work project or a personal chore.
• Stop Procrastination: I notice that sometimes I actually use multi-tasking is a form of ‘productive procrastination’ – and you might do the same without even realizing. Mono-tasking helps interrupt that cycle, which is very helpful when you have a tendency to ‘just do one thing before I really get to work’ – and then suddenly the whole day is gone.

Related post: 5 Ways Overwhelmed Overthinkers Can Beat Procrastination 

How I Use Mono-Tasking + Time Blocking

This is pretty specific to my life, but hopefully this example will help you see how it can work…

I estimate how much time each task requires, and then block out time to work on ONLY THAT TASK GROUP. Instead of running around the house all day trying to keep everything moving along, I set aside blocks of time for:

Kitchen work – cooking, cleaning or tidying, prep work, making a grocery list, etc. If I’m cooking, the most important things to remember are to set a timer for anything in the oven and to not leave the room if at all possible. 

Another thing I’ve learned along the way is to only bake bar cookies. One big tray, in the oven for 25 minutes, DONE.

Cleaning or tidying the rest of the house – Here is where a cleaning schedule is great, but admittedly I’m not always good at sticking to one. I just try to keep to a time limit for whatever needs to be done – laundry, decluttering, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, anything cleaning-related. Also, never try to cook AND clean other rooms at the same time!

Computer work – divided into writing and then everything else. It’s way too easy to get caught up in researching, which leads to Pinterest and new blogs and websites. Talk about information overload! If you’re a writer or earn money some other way online, it’s VERY important to block out sufficient time for focused work, and also to use apps for blocking sites you don’t want to visit while it’s time to work.

Personal enrichment – I enjoy reading and watching television, but find I have to block out time for it. Otherwise I always feel like there are other more important things that need to be done. But giving myself a guilt-free half hour of reading or 23 minutes of Netflix can be exactly what my mind needs.

Getting Started: How To Mono-Task (The Basic Steps)

Ready to give it a try? Here’s a simple way to experience mono-tasking for just 30 minutes:  

1. Silence the Noise: Close your email tab. Turn off notifications for social media. If needed, use tools like website blockers to help you stay on track.

2. Put your smartphone in a different room or just turn it off. Let the magic of voicemail and text messaging work for you. Those messages will be there later. Worried about missing a call from your child’s school? Then leave the phone on, but ONLY answer if it’s the school (assign a special ringtone or setting to only allow calls from that number to come through).

3. Work on that project you’ve been putting off, whatever it is. If you’ve been thinking about a DIY project, do it. A new recipe you want to try, make it. A book you can’t seem to get around to reading, start it. That article or story or blog post you’ve been meaning to write, let the words flow.

4. Forget the Clock (Use a Timer): Set a timer for your chosen period (like 30 minutes) so you aren’t constantly checking the time.

5. The most important thing to remember: Do nothing else. This is crucial. Resist the urge to jump up and switch the laundry. Don’t make that one phone call or send the quick email to your child’s teacher. Don’t head into the kitchen for a snack. Don’t start a list of great movies you would like to watch.

6. When 30 minutes is up, take a break and evaluate what you’ve done. I have a feeling you’ll find the same thing I have – you get more done in 30 minutes of concentrated effort than an hour of running in circles around the house trying to get everything done at the same time.

If you’re writing or working on a project, your mind won’t be as distracted and you won’t spend half your day trying to ‘get back into the groove’ because you keep getting up to do something else.

Recommended Resource: The ONE FOCUS Method – This is a simple, encouraging guide with action steps created for overwhelmed overthinkers who want to make progress on their goals – without adding more pressure. In under an hour, you can start learning a practical approach to follow through, finish what matters, and quiet the noise of ‘too much.’

How to Plan a Full Day of Mono-Tasking

You can expand this focused approach to structure your entire day using time blocking, a powerful time management technique that works hand-in-hand with mono-tasking. Here’s how to approach your daily planning:  

1. Make your list: Start by writing down everything you need or want to accomplish. Your master To-Do list.

2. Group tasks: Group similar tasks together. For example, put all computer-based work in one group, errands in another, and household chores in a third. This improves efficiency in organizing time management.

3. Estimate time for each group: Be realistic about how long each group of tasks will take. I usually allow twice as long as I think something will take – because even with mono-tasking, I’m still pretty slow. This step is vital for prioritizing tasks effectively.

4. Divide time into blocks: Assign specific blocks of time in your day for each task group. This creates your time blocking schedule. For example, 9-11 AM for focused writing, 12-2 PM for publishing tasks, 2-3 PM for emails and calls, 3-4 PM for house tidying.

5. Don’t Forget You: Intentionally schedule time for breaks, lunch, and even personal activities like reading or exercise. These are essential parts of a sustainable and productive lifestyle. 

You can write everything out on a piece of paper until you get a schedule figured out that works for you. I often use my free printable daily planning page.

Sometimes I like to use a spreadsheet because I can move work blocks around and then print it out to have a visual if I need it that day.

You can also use the calendar app on your phone or Google calendar. One nice thing about those options is the ability to set reminders to alert you at times you have chosen. However, the flip side is that your phone itself can be a distraction – just be aware of what you’re doing. 

Practical Time Management Tips to Make Mono-Tasking Work

Implementing mono-tasking and time blocking takes practice. Here are some tips to help integrate these time management strategies smoothly:

Use Time Blocking Effectively

• Be Realistic: Especially when starting time blocking for beginners, avoid packing your schedule too tightly. Leave buffer time between blocks. Plus, it’s important to manage expectations… just because you might get MORE done most of the time, doesn’t mean you’ll get EVERYTHING done every.single.day.
• Try Visual Aids: Find what works for you. This could be a dedicated productivity planner, a simple notebook, a spreadsheet, or a digital calendar app. A time management printable or time blocking printable can also be great visual tools.  
• Be Flexible: Life happens. Some days won’t go according to plan. Adjust your time blocking schedule as needed without guilt.
• Theme Your Blocks/Days: Experiment with daily planning ideas, like dedicating certain days or larger blocks to specific types of work (e.g., deep work in the morning, admin tasks in the afternoon). Sometimes this works for me, sometimes not… it’s pretty individual thing.
• Start Small: Dedicate just one or two blocks in your day to focused work and gradually increase as you get comfortable.

Improve Your Time Management Skills

• Regular Review: Periodically look at how your time blocking and mono-tasking combination is working. Are your time estimates accurate? Are you feeling less stressed and more productive? Or are you still trying to squeeze too many tasks into a single time block and getting frustrated? Adjust accordingly and really prioritize ONLY the essentials for a while.
• Self Motivation: Remember why you wanted to try this. Is it to feel less overwhelmed? To achieve specific goals? Connecting to your ‘why’ provides life motivation and helps when progress feels tough. 
• Practice Organizing Your Day: Make daily planning a consistent part of your daily routine habits. Even 5-10 minutes each morning or evening can make a huge difference.
• Develop Your Finishing Instinct: This takes a LOT of practice, but it can really kick up your productivity. 

Recommended Resource: The Goal Journey Annual Goal Planner – This printable goal planner is designed to streamline your goal-setting process, allowing you to focus on one goal at a time and adapt as life evolves. Get the extra stuff out of your head, let go of the regrets and ‘should-dos,’ and start accomplishing the goals that really matter to YOU.

Mono-Tasking in Real Life

Let’s be honest: not every single moment of every day can be perfectly mono-tasked. Interruptions happen, especially if you have young children or unpredictable demands on your time. I’ve certainly been there.  

The goal isn’t rigid perfection. What we’re trying to do is apply the principles of mono-tasking during the times you can control. Even dedicating one or two focused blocks each day is a significant step toward a more controlled and productive schedule. Focus on progress, incorporating these time management strategies gradually into your daily routine to build a sustainable productive lifestyle that supports a life well lived – and stop burning the cookies.

You’ve got this!  

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