Get Stuff Done Blog:
Social Good Spotlighted, Evidence Explored.
Social Good Spotlighted, Evidence Explored.
 Welcome back to the GSD (Get Stuff Done) for Social Good blog! This space shares evidence-based best practices in organizational management and celebrates leaders and organizations driving meaningful impact. In this issue, I’m focused on the evidence around multitasking, a behavior so embedded in our culture that most of us view it as a skill to hone rather than a habit to break. A scan of job descriptions notes that this skill is evident in many—if not most—jobs at non-profit organizations. As part of my continuing education, I’m enrolled in a certificate program on neuroleadership through the NeuroLeadership Institute. This program explores how insights from brain science can transform leadership and workplace culture. One thing has become painfully clear: as a society, we violate many of the best practices derived from neuroscience. Multitasking is one example. The Brain on Multitasking Multitasking may feel productive, but it harms your brain’s ability to focus. Multitasking impairs your brain’s ability to focus. A 2009 Stanford study found that frequent media multitaskers—those who switch between TV, phones, and social media—perform worse on tests of attention and memory. High-media users even show cognitive patterns similar to ADHD, training their brains for distraction instead of focus. More recent research supports these findings. A 2020 Stanford study revealed that media multitasking impairs memory and increases attention lapses, reinforcing that, over time, frequent multitasking weakens cognitive performance. The Illusion of Efficiency Multitasking creates an illusion of productivity, but research shows it’s one of the least efficient ways to work. As the American Psychological Association notes, numerous studies confirm that task-switching—jumping between two or more tasks slows down task completion and increases the likelihood of errors. One study quantifies the impact multitasking can have with their finding that an office worker takes an average of 25 minutes to return to their original task after being interrupted. Though it feels like you’re getting more done, multitasking reduces the quality of your output, drains mental energy, and sets you up for inefficiency and frustration. The Ripple Effects of Multitasking What surprised me most was that the adverse effects of multitasking extend beyond the individual engaging in it. A 2003 Cornell University study found that students seated near others multitasking on laptops performed worse on comprehension and retention tasks, demonstrating how even passive exposure to multitasking impairs focus. This underscores the collective costs of multitasking, highlighting the need to minimize distractions in shared spaces to enhance focus and learning. What We Believe vs. What the Data Shows You might think, “But this data doesn’t apply to me. I’m a good multi-tasker!” Think again! A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that most people underestimate how much task-switching reduces productivity and overestimate their ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively (Rubinstein, Meyer, & Evans, 2001). This disconnect perpetuates a culture that celebrates busyness over effectiveness. Multitasking feels productive in the moment, but it’s a poor substitute for focused, deliberate effort. Attention Is Limited At its core, the issue with multitasking is that attention is a finite resource. Dividing attention between tasks leads to impaired learning, weaker memory, and diminished overall performance. Brain activity becomes less efficient when people divide attention, impairing immediate and long-term learning. In other words, your brain simply isn’t built to multitask effectively. Focusing on one task at a time isn’t just a best practice—it’s a biological necessity. A Call to Action In this GSD for Social Good issue, I challenge us all—leaders, managers, and changemakers alike—to break free from the multitasking myth. The data is overwhelming and compelling: multitasking is inefficient, impairs performance, and harms our ability to focus. Let’s prioritize sustained attention, celebrate deep work, and recognize that productivity isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about doing the right things well. The NeuroLeadership Institute offers the following tips: “Apply the 20-minute rule: Develop the self-discipline to laser focus on a single task for 20 minutes. Turn off social media and other notifications, put your cellphone out of sight, and close windows on your computer that aren’t related to the task at hand. Instead of obsessively checking email hundreds of times a day, for example, devote 20 minutes at the beginning and end of your day for this task. When you complete your 20 minutes, take a quick break, and then continue the same task or switch to another for 20 minutes. You’ll be surprised how much more you can accomplish in 20-minute increments without frenetically hopping from task to task.” Stay tuned as I continue exploring insights from the NeuroLeadership Institute and share other actionable strategies for fostering more effective workplaces so that together we can Get Stuff Done for Social Good. And Maryland is Showing Us Just How “As Governor Wes Moore said, ‘Service will save us.’ I know this is true because it has certainly saved me.” These were the powerful words of my 24-year-old son, Trey Taylor, as he delivered a heartfelt speech at the VIP reception for the inaugural Maryland Service Corps graduation. Trey had the honor of participating in this groundbreaking program. Through it, he discovered purpose, confidence, and a commitment to his community and himself. While this may seem like a blog post from a proud parent, it’s more than that! I’m sharing Trey’s story here for three reasons: 1) I believe in the life-changing impact of this program and want more young adults to be aware of it; 2) I want parents raising children with unique challenges to know there is hope; and 3) this blog, GSD for Social Good, is all about uplifting those who are making a profound difference. This program—and the people behind it—are doing just that. A Bit About Trey Trey has always been different. He could read chapter books by age 5 with full comprehension, but his handwriting was illegible. He could easily converse with adults around complicated topics, but was socially awkward with kids. He loved to learn, but hated school. And while he understood complex concepts instantly, he often struggled with routine tasks that were expected and necessary to succeed in school and life. Trey is what’s known as twice exceptional— he is gifted and has learning differences. This duality or unevenness has often been a source of frustration and challenge for Trey. Despite his strengths and the strong advocacy of both of his parents, by the time he reached adulthood, Trey felt “beaten down by life” (his words, not mine). The pandemic was particularly difficult for Trey, and his first semester back on campus was even tougher. He was already burned out when his favorite college professor unexpectedly died. Trey’s academic performance suffered; even more concerning, he fell into a deep depression, the kind that scares a parent so much you fear for your child’s safety. Exhausted and depressed, Trey ultimately took a bold step: he paused his college journey to reassess his path. But with no clear direction, the uncertainty was overwhelming. Then, a friend shared an ad for the newly launched Maryland Service Corps program with me. The program offered paid placements at nonprofits and government agencies, along with training and mentorship—all while earning at least the minimum wage. It felt like the perfect opportunity, though we’d previously suggested similar programs to Trey to no avail. To my surprise, Trey was enthusiastic. Later, he came downstairs to tell me he’d applied. “Mom, the questions made sense, and the process was easy. This could be good.” He said with the first smile I had seen on his face in months. That initial spark led to an interview, then an acceptance letter, and with each step, his confidence grew. Slowly, Trey’s sense of purpose formed. Finding His Purpose The next step was securing a placement, and Trey, who had never worked or even interviewed for a job, was understandably nervous. As a shy, introverted young man, this was all new territory for him—and admittedly, I worried too. But the Maryland Service Corps had thought of everything. Each corps member was guaranteed a placement, and the team guided Trey through interviews until he landed an ideal position at A Wider Circle, a nonprofit focused on helping individuals lift themselves out of poverty. As an Essential Support Services Specialist, Trey connected with clients, listened to their stories, and coordinated access to essentials like furniture, baby items, and professional clothing. Initially, Trey pictured himself in a “behind-the-scenes” role, thinking it suited his introverted nature. However his coach encouraged him to consider a more direct, customer-facing position during the interview process. Hesitantly, he agreed, and with each client interaction, his confidence grew, and his outdated and inaccurate narrative that he was not good socially began to fade. Beyond his role, Trey volunteered for additional opportunities, tabling at events, attending rallies, and even participating in a recruitment video with Governor Moore. And there he was, on the last day of the program, standing at the podium, sharing his journey with a VIP audience—a task that once seemed unimaginable. As he said in his speech, “While I developed communication skills, strengthened my teamwork, and gained customer service experience, the most valuable part of the program is that I now have the confidence to do it all over again at any organization I choose to join or create.” Continuing His Commitment to Service Trey's commitment to service didn’t end with the Maryland Service Corps. He has since returned to UMBC to complete his degree and now volunteers weekly for Retriever Essentials, a partnership between UMBC faculty, staff, and students addressing food insecurity. Service has become central to his life’s purpose. The skills he’s gained through the Maryland Service Corps continue to drive positive change in his community. The Maryland Department of Service & Civic Innovation: Getting Stuff Done for Social Good The Maryland Service Corps is a remarkable program that changed my son’s life. It is a powerful example of what it means to Get Stuff Done for Social Good. Governor Moore and his team at the Maryland Department of Service and Innovation launched this vision in record time, making the program fully operational within nine months of his taking office. That’s no small feat. As someone who builds programs for a living, I know the level of commitment and effort it takes to create something of this magnitude and impact so quickly and effectively. They deserve huge praise for a job well done. What was most impressive about this program was its thoughtfulness in ensuring it worked for young adults like Trey—individuals with so much to offer who sometimes fall through the cracks. Everything was designed carefully, from the non-intimidating application process to an interview approach focused on future opportunities rather than past rejections. They provided valuable online resources, day-long community gatherings, and a personal coach to help ensure participants' success. The Maryland Service Corps exemplifies a dedicated team of people truly getting things done for social good. May this program grow and inspire countless others to serve their communities—and, as it did for Trey, help them discover their strengths and purpose along the way. Become a Host Site Equally important, the program benefits participating organizations, known as host site partners, by providing highly motivated, trained staff at a reduced cost. Organizations of all sizes can participate, with the state covering a larger share of employee costs for smaller organizations. Learn More Click here to learn more about the program, including how to become a corps member (applications open annually in the summer) or how to participate as an employer. Starting in September, the program is offered annually for anybody over 18, not just young adults! |
AuthorKim Callinan is a social change leader, advocate, and author, dedicated to amplifying the efforts of those driving meaningful progress in society and the strategies that make progress possible. Blog
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