Your morning starts with email. Then a text pulls you to your phone. Back to email, but now you remember the bills, time to switch to banking. A Slack ping. Another email. By 10am you've touched six different apps and finished nothing that actually mattered.
The problem isn't that you're lazy or distracted, it's that every time you switch between different types of tasks, your brain has to reload an entirely different set of rules, priorities, and mental models.
A widely cited business-productivity review notes that frequent context switching can undermine focus, increase errors and lead to mental fatigue.
There are two simple strategies that can help: time blocking and task batching. Time blocking means scheduling specific blocks of time for different activities throughout your day. For example, "9-10am: deep work" or "2-3pm: errands." Task batching takes it further by grouping similar tasks together and knocking them all out in one focused session.
The difference matters in daily life. Time blocking gives structure to your day, but task batching reduces the mental cost of switching gears.
When you batch all your phone calls into one 30-minute window, you stay in "conversation mode" instead of bouncing between talking, typing, and thinking. When you handle all your household admin - bills, appointments, forms, etc - in one sitting, you're not constantly shifting between "life manager" and "everything else."
Here's how to use this: Start with task batching for the repetitive stuff that clutters your day. Designate one block for all communications: texts, emails, calls, the works.
Another for household tasks. Another for errands if you're out anyway. The key is grouping by mental mode, not just by category.
For bigger goals or creative work, time blocking works better. Block out Saturday morning for that project you keep postponing. Protect Tuesday evenings for learning that skill. The calendar commitment makes it real, and the dedicated time means you're not trying to squeeze it between grocery shopping and replying to your friend’s text messages.
You might find that batching your daily maintenance tasks frees up surprising amounts of mental space. Instead of feeling like you're always half-doing six things, you're fully present for each type of work. The errands still happen, the emails still get answered—but you're not fragmenting your attention all day long.
Did this resonate with you? Forward it on to someone who could use it too. These insights are better when shared.
Cheers,
Alex
Disclaimer: I'm a curious researcher, not a licensed psychologist. I study these concepts because I believe understanding how our minds work can help us navigate life more effectively. This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal guidance. Individual results may vary, and readers should use their own judgment when applying these concepts.