The Myth of Multitasking

I want all of you. Not part of you.

You Only Have 100% to Give

In today’s world, multitasking has become a badge of honor. People love to say they’re “grinding,” “juggling,” or “doing it all.” But many overlook the truth — you only have 100% to give. That’s it. There’s no 110%, no 200%, no imaginary reserve of extra energy waiting in the shadows. Every time you divide your focus, something is losing out.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that multitasking equals productivity, but it’s often a distraction from intentional living. You can’t give 100% to two things at once. If you’re giving 90% to your job, you’ve only got 10% left for your personal life, relationships, self-care, and dreams. The math never lies — something always comes up short.

Let’s break it down.

The Cost of Divided Focus

When you multitask, you’re rapidly switching between priorities, never giving your full attention to any single one. It feels productive because you’re constantly moving — but movement doesn’t always equal progress. You might be spinning your wheels while thinking you’re going somewhere.

Think about it: how often have you been on your phone while “spending time” with loved ones? You’re present, but not really there. Or maybe you’re working late nights chasing a deadline, but your body and mind are exhausted, robbing your future self of peace and recovery. That’s the hidden tax of multitasking — you pay with your energy, time, and relationships.

Life’s 100% Rule

You can’t outsmart the limits of being human. You only have one hundred percent — not one hundred and one, not one ten. When you try to go beyond that, you’re borrowing from another area of your life that needs attention.

What happens to you if you’re giving 70% of your effort to your job, 20% to scrolling through your phone, and 10% to your relationships? Where’s your space for reflection, for rest, for growth? Too many people are burning out trying to give pieces of themselves to too many things.

The problem isn’t that we multitask — it’s what we choose to multitask. We pour our best energy into the mundane — clocking hours, chasing numbers, overcommitting — while the things that truly feed our spirit and purpose get whatever scraps are left.

Prioritize the Right Multitasking

If you must multitask, do it with intention. Pair the mundane with the meaningful. For example:

Listen to an audiobook about growth while doing chores.

Reflect or meditate while walking.

Use driving time to pray, plan, or connect with your thoughts.

But never multitask the things that require your whole heart and attention — like your healing, family, purpose, or dreams. Those things demand your full 100%. They deserve it.

The Illusion of “More”

Society believes more is better — more work, hustle, and accomplishments. But more doesn’t mean better. What matters most is the quality of what you give. One hour of undivided focus can accomplish more than three hours of distracted effort.

There’s no extra credit in life for overextending yourself. The only reward for burnout is emptiness.

You only get one life and one hundred percent to live it. Be intentional about where that energy goes. Don’t let your purpose suffer because your attention is stretched too thin. The goal isn’t to do everything — it’s to do what truly matters with everything you’ve got.

Because at the end of the day, you’re not a machine. You’re a person. And people don’t operate on extra credit — they operate on heart, focus, and purpose.