In our fast-paced world, multitasking is often celebrated as essential for productivity. This has become part of my fabric as a mother, wife, and full-time worker.

However, I failed to realize that multitasking comes with a cognitive cost. Enter the Law of Substitution: the idea that our brains can only focus intensely on one thing at a time, forcing us to substitute one task’s attention for another.

This was prevalent in my early days of motherhood. Returning to work a year following the birth of my son. I found it challenging to stay present with him at times as work crept into the forefront of my mind.

These creeping thoughts would take away some of my focus and fun way of being with him as it would also bring my emotions around work into my precious time with him. My ability to shift my thinking and emotions was not as good as they are today, unfortunately.

Now, back to multitasking, when you attempt to multitask, you’re not genuinely doing multiple things simultaneously. Instead, your brain rapidly shifts focus between tasks. While this feels productive, studies show it reduces efficiency and increases errors.

And in The Master Key System, we learn to eliminate the need to multitask by bringing awareness to it to cause a change in this way of being. A simple example would be writing an email while attending a virtual meeting, which leads to mistakes in both activities. This occurs because the brain struggles to process competing streams of information.

The Law of Substitution reminds us that each time we focus on one thing, we inherently decide not to focus on something else. The key is to be intentional with these choices. Instead of juggling tasks, practice “single-tasking” by dedicating focused time blocks to individual priorities.

For instance, tackle emails during a set period, then transition fully to your next task. Though not always easy, substitute an emotional judgment with acceptance by focusing on the good instead of the flaw.

Multitasking may give an illusion of accomplishment, but embracing the Law of Substitution consciously and emotionally can help you work smarter, not harder.

By prioritizing one task at a time and setting boundaries for yourself, you cultivate higher-quality work, reduced stress, and a sense of mastery over your responsibilities. People in your presence will feel heard as you focus on them in a good way.

The next time you’re tempted to multitask, pause. Ask yourself: what truly deserves my attention right now? By honoring your brain’s limitations, you’ll boost your productivity and create space for deeper, more meaningful engagement with your work.

Let the Law of Substitution guide you toward more intentional, effective days.