Hey everybody,

I’ve been diving into some fascinating research recently and discovered that I might be part of an elite 2.5% of the population. We’re talking about "supertaskers"—people who can perform multiple tasks simultaneously without experiencing the typical cognitive decline that most people face when trying to multitask.

At first, I had a moment of panic, thinking, "Oh no, I’ve been teaching people to do things that might only work for me!" But after looking deeper into the data, it turns out that while most people shouldn’t multitask, there are lessons from this research that everyone can apply to live more productive lives.

The Science Behind Supertasking

The University of Utah’s research found that for most people, multitasking is a trap. We think we’re being efficient, but in reality, switching between tasks exhausts our brains and depletes cognitive resources. However, for a rare few—the supertaskers—multitasking doesn’t result in this cognitive drain. In fact, it energizes them. These supertaskers can navigate high-pressure environments, often working in fields like emergency medicine or piloting, where managing multiple streams of information is essential.

Here’s where this gets interesting: While supertaskers excel under cognitive load, the same principles of focus and flow can be applied to everyone. You don’t have to be a supertasker to improve your productivity, but you can use techniques to optimize how you handle tasks.

Key takeaway: Multitasking doesn’t work for most people, but if we adopt the right strategies, we can all learn to perform better by focusing on one task at a time.

Optimize, Automate, Outsource – the Supertasker's Playbook for Everyone

Even if you’re not a supertasker, the methods I teach about optimizing, automating, and outsourcing are critical for everyone looking to increase their efficiency. Here’s how you can adopt these strategies in your life:

• Optimize: Break tasks down into their simplest parts and focus on doing them in the most efficient way possible. One of my go-to methods is batching—grouping similar tasks to reduce context switching.

• Automate: Technology is your best friend here. Use automation tools for repetitive tasks, whether it’s scheduling meetings or managing emails. The less time you spend on low-value activities, the more time you have for high-impact work.

• Outsource: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks that drain your energy or aren’t the best use of your time. Virtual assistants, task-specific freelancers, or even simple delegation to colleagues can free up cognitive space for the work that matters.
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These techniques may not turn you into a supertasker overnight, but they will help you avoid the burnout that multitasking can cause for most people.

Finding Your Own Flow

We live in a world of constant distractions, and it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. But here’s a reminder: success comes from staying in the zone and knowing what works best for you. I, for example, think and operate better when I’m moving—I’m often on calls while walking or between tasks. It’s about finding the rhythm that suits your brain and optimizing for that.

If you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to do it all, just remember: you don’t have to be a supertasker to be productive. Focus on getting the right things done, and use the systems available to you to make it easier. Let’s all work smarter, not harder.

Until next time, make today productive!

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