¿Multitasking? Mejor no: Técnicas reales para enfocarte y rendir más
In the tech industry, where deadlines are tight and interruptions constant, doing several things at once can seem like an essential skill. But here's the uncomfortable truth: multitasking doesn't make you more productive. In fact, it might be sabotaging your performance without you even noticing.
In this blog, we'll explain why multitasking doesn't work the way you think, and give you proven techniques to actually focus and perform better (without wearing yourself out trying).
The multitasking myth
Even though we believe we can do many things at once, science says otherwise. Studies from MIT and Stanford University have shown that the human brain can't truly focus on more than one cognitive task at the same time. What we're actually doing is switching between tasks rapidly, which drains our working memory and reduces our efficiency.
And what happens when you multitask?
You make more mistakes.
You take longer to finish tasks.
You feel more tired.
You retain less information.
Multitasking can reduce your productivity by up to 40%, according to the American Psychological Association.
Real techniques to focus (and they actually work)
1. Time blocking
Divide your day into time blocks dedicated to a single task or group of similar tasks. For example:
9:00 to 10:30 → Uninterrupted coding.
11:00 to 11:30 → Reviewing emails or Slack.
12:00 to 13:00 → Meetings.
This lets you get into deep work without distractions.
2. The Pomodoro technique
Work for 25 minutes with total focus, then take a 5-minute break. After 4 cycles, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). It's ideal for demanding tasks like debugging or architecture design.
Recommendation: use apps like Pomofocus or Forest to keep the pace.
3. Make SMART lists, not endless ones
Don't write down 20 things a day. Pick 3 priority tasks you can actually get done, and keep a separate backlog for anything that's not urgent.
4. Turn off notifications (yes, all of them)
Mute email, Slack, Discord, everything… during your focus blocks. If that makes you anxious, set a specific time to check messages.
5. Announce your focus hours
Let your team know when you'll be in focus mode to cut down on unnecessary interruptions. Tools like Slack let you set a status like "In focus, back at 11 AM."
Real cases: less multitasking, more impact
Marian Suarez, CMO at Mobiik, shares:
"For a long time, I thought being pulled in a thousand directions at once was part of success. But I discovered my real impact came when I learned to prioritize and protect my focus time. That completely changed the way I lead teams."
Connect with a community that fuels your focus
In RebelHub, our tech community on Discord, you can share your productivity methods, get real tips from other developers, and take part in activities to improve your day-to-day as a professional.
Recommended reading to focus better
Deep Work by Cal Newport: an essential read for understanding why deep work is the key to success in the digital age. Newport offers strategies for cultivating focus and eliminating the distractions that sabotage your performance.
Atomic Habits by James Clear: ideal for anyone who wants to build lasting habits. This book teaches you how small daily improvements can lead to big results, especially when it comes to focus and productivity.
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan: a minimalist but powerful approach — figure out which single task moves everything else forward, and put your energy there. Perfect for fighting multitasking and gaining clarity.
Conclusion: don't do more, do better
In a world that glorifies being busy, learning to focus is a superpower. Less multitasking = more clarity, more energy, and better results.
Want to be part of a workplace that values emotional intelligence and encourages your professional growth? At Mobiik, we're looking for talent like yours.
Check out our openings and take the next step in your career by writing to us at talent@mobiik.com. 🚀
