--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you multitask, you believe you're…" description: "\"When you multitask, you believe you're being exceptionally productive, but really, you're fooling yourself. Each time you switch tasks, you have to bac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/karen-finerman-22866_being_when-you-multitask-you-believe-you-re-be_2677256.jpg" --- # When you multitask, you believe you're being exceptionally… ![“When you multitask, you believe you're being exceptionally productive, but really, you're fooling yourself. Each time you switch tasks, you have to backtrack a little and remind yourself where you are in the process and what's next. Invariably. you are spending twice as much time on parts of the…” quote by Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/karen-finerman-22866_being_when-you-multitask-you-believe-you-re-be_2677256.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/karen-finerman-22866_being_when-you-multitask-you-believe-you-re-be_2677256.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/karen-finerman-22866_being_when-you-multitask-you-believe-you-re-be_2677256.jpg) > “When you multitask, you believe you're being exceptionally productive, but really, you're fooling yourself. Each time you switch tasks, you have to backtrack a little and remind yourself where you are in the process and what's next. Invariably. you are spending twice as much time on parts of the task.” [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Multitasking creates an illusion of productivity but actually doubles effort and reduces efficiency. **In simple terms:** Multitasking wastes time. Key Takeaway Focus on one task at a time. Themes productivity focus cognitive load Mood analytical practical Type advice motivational When to use this quote - workplace - study habits - project management Key Concepts attention theory efficiency Questions to Reflect On - Which tasks benefit from multitasking? - How can you redesign work to reduce context switching? A Different Perspective Some tasks truly require parallel work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Backtrack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backtrack-2035978/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Each](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/each/) [Exceptionally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exceptionally/) [Fooling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fooling/) [Fooling yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fooling-yourself/) [Invariably](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invariably/) [Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Multitask Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/multitask-believe-2550648/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Parts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parts/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Productive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productive/) [Productive Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productive-really-1585755/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Remind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remind/) [Spending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spending/) [Switch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/switch/) [Switch Tasks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/switch-tasks-2550650/) [Task](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/task/) [Tasks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tasks/) [Tasks Backtrack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tasks-backtrack-2550649/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Twice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twice/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yourself/) ## Related quotes > [I had demos that I'd send out of the songs and I'd get, "Great, can't wait to get in a room and actually play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-benante/i-had-demos-that-i-d-send-out-of-the-songs-and-i-d-get-great-can-t/) [Charlie Benante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-benante/) > [It's nice to be able to backtrack and not be embarrassed by the music you used to listen to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-oldham/it-s-nice-to-be-able-to-backtrack-and-not-be-embarrassed-by-the-music/) [Will Oldham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-oldham/) > [“I need to backtrack. I need to reboot. Do not save changes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-kinsella/i-need-to-backtrack-i-need-to-reboot-do-not-save-changes/) [Sophie Kinsella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-kinsella/) > [I think life would be a lot easier if people were able to stand in their mistakes and not backtrack. If you did something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-reyez/i-think-life-would-be-a-lot-easier-if-people-were-able-to-stand-in/) [Jessie Reyez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-reyez/) > [I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times, Nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-lay-puzzle-as-i-backtrack-to-earlier-times-nothing-s-equivalent-to/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Exposure to a diversity of disciplines has been exceptionally helpful to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-rosenfeld/exposure-to-a-diversity-of-disciplines-has-been-exceptionally-helpful/) [Irene Rosenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-rosenfeld/) > [Dying Is an art, like everything else. I do it exceptionally well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/dying-is-an-art-like-everything-else-i-do-it-exceptionally-well/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [Opera can be exceptionally moving but can also be pompous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-bellamy/opera-can-be-exceptionally-moving-but-can-also-be-pompous/) [Matt Bellamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-bellamy/) > [There is something complete about Stevie Wonder, and one senses that he is not only exceptionally important today, but will continue to be for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/there-is-something-complete-about-stevie-wonder-and-one-senses-that/) [Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/) > [Everyone is gifted, I guess, but you get some that seem exceptionally so. I'm not one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-williamson/everyone-is-gifted-i-guess-but-you-get-some-that-seem-exceptionally/) [Kane Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-williamson/) > [You need a very, exceptionally clear vision. And to me, a vision is something that you can say in one sentence. The fewer the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-johnson/you-need-a-very-exceptionally-clear-vision-and-to-me-a-vision-is/) [Ron Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-johnson/) > [I'd say music runs in my blood. My parents are exceptionally talented singers, so even before I was born, it was a known fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonu-nigam/i-d-say-music-runs-in-my-blood-my-parents-are-exceptionally-talented/) [Sonu Nigam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonu-nigam/) > [The 'Ndrangheta is an exceptionally dangerous, sophisticated and insidious criminal organization, with tentacles stretching from Italy to countries around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-lynch/the-ndrangheta-is-an-exceptionally-dangerous-sophisticated-and/) [Loretta Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-lynch/) > [We are exceptionally good at seeing the faults in others and exceptionally adept at ignoring the faults in ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/we-are-exceptionally-good-at-seeing-the-faults-in-others-and/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [Don't expect a pat on the back for merely doing your job, but know that you'll get one for doing it exceptionally well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lea-salonga/don-t-expect-a-pat-on-the-back-for-merely-doing-your-job-but-know/) [Lea Salonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lea-salonga/) ## More by Karen Finerman > [You cannot be in charge of a family and run a big company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/you-cannot-be-in-charge-of-a-family-and-run-a-big-company/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [Don't waste even a minute magnifying your perceived inadequacies. You can't do it all. Why berate yourself for not achieving the impossible?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/don-t-waste-even-a-minute-magnifying-your-perceived-inadequacies-you/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [I have always wondered why more women did not look into owning their own funds. Granted, it is a high stress, high risk business,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/i-have-always-wondered-why-more-women-did-not-look-into-owning-their/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [I have spent much of my life where the boys are, first as a tomboy and then on Wall Street. Growing up, I loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/i-have-spent-much-of-my-life-where-the-boys-are-first-as-a-tomboy-and/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [As a teenager, rather than setting myself on a course to pursue fame (quite common growing up in L.A., the entertainment capital of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/as-a-teenager-rather-than-setting-myself-on-a-course-to-pursue-fame/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [Serendipity is nice, but hoping for luck and the magic of happenstance shouldn't be an excuse for a lack of proactivity. I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/serendipity-is-nice-but-hoping-for-luck-and-the-magic-of-happenstance/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [I never want to have to ask my husband for money. Never! That's incomprehensible to me. Would he have preferred that I change my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/i-never-want-to-have-to-ask-my-husband-for-money-never-that-s/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [I remember the absolute, joyous freedom I felt when I first went to college: I had no bedtime, no curfew, no rules - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/i-remember-the-absolute-joyous-freedom-i-felt-when-i-first-went-to/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [Companies are always being bought and sold. The markets are always moving; you have to be on top of your position. And in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/companies-are-always-being-bought-and-sold-the-markets-are-always/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [Every day, turn off your phone/email for some part of the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/every-day-turn-off-your-phone-email-for-some-part-of-the-day/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [As a working mother, the last thing you need is to be hard on yourself. As a stay-at-home mother, the last thing you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/as-a-working-mother-the-last-thing-you-need-is-to-be-hard-on-yourself/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [Never have anyone else carry your luggage. Pack only what you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/never-have-anyone-else-carry-your-luggage-pack-only-what-you-need/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [I've seen women afraid to stretch for things. They avoid opportunities they don't feel qualified for yet. Instead, they should grab risky opportunities that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/i-ve-seen-women-afraid-to-stretch-for-things-they-avoid-opportunities/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [I applied to only one college - the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania - and was fortunate to be accepted. After graduation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/i-applied-to-only-one-college-the-wharton-school-at-the-university-of/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) > [It's OK to have a plan, to invest in your future - for your financial security, your love life, your personal fulfillment, and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-finerman/it-s-ok-to-have-a-plan-to-invest-in-your-future-for-your-financial/) [Karen Finerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) [Explore all 26 Karen Finerman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-finerman/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you multitask, you believe you're being exceptionally productive, but really, you're fooling yourself. Each time you switch tasks, you have to backtrack a little and remind yourself where you are in the process and what's next. 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