Multitasking can be beneficial for some tasks, but it can also have negative effects on productivity. It can reduce creativity, cause impulsive decisions, and lead to poor decision-making. A key way to increase productivity is to learn to prioritize tasks. If you have to do multiple things at once, make sure to build in "insurance" time, or time that is dedicated to completing one task at a time.

While multitasking is often beneficial, it can also cause mental exhaustion. This means that it takes longer to complete a task. And, because the human brain is not built for multitasking, switching from one task to another requires more brainpower. To put this into perspective, a driver chatting on his cell phone while driving might crash into a large obstacle.

According to a study from the University of London, multitasking can reduce your IQ by as much as consuming marijuana or staying up late at night. People who multitask lose their intelligence and become more prone to errors. Multitasking also decreases our emotional intelligence and brain density.

Taking breaks is another way to improve your productivity. Taking short breaks throughout the day will help you focus on each task. But, working for long hours without breaks can make it more difficult to achieve your goals. A cluttered workspace can also lead to a reduced ability to multitask effectively. In addition, studies show that multitaskers have trouble using their working and long-term memory. Even simple memory tasks become difficult for them.

Such is the problem of living in a modern world while powered by an ancient brain.