By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
Back in the day, a common interview zinger was, “Can you give me an example of how you multitask?” It wasn’t just a question—it was a litmus test for competence. The expectation was simple: you had to prove that you could juggle multiple tasks without breaking a sweat, all while maintaining focus. Multitasking wasn’t a burden, it was a badge of honor. Fast forward to today, and what was once a celebrated skill seems to have morphed into a Sisyphean curse. Suddenly, multitasking at work is akin to torture, even though the average person effortlessly juggles a dozen things in their personal life—sometimes all at once! Strange how that works, isn’t it?
Take a moment to think about it. A typical day might involve texting five people at once, binge-watching Netflix, shopping online, sipping on an overpriced latte, and planning your next social outing—all without breaking a sweat. You can chat with friends, scroll through memes, and keep up with celebrity gossip while eating lunch—now that’s multitasking in action. But ask someone to focus on two projects at work, and the world suddenly becomes unbearable. “It’s too much!” they cry. “I can’t handle it!” Really? You can sip your coffee while swiping through Instagram but can’t manage a couple of spreadsheets without collapsing into a heap of despair?
Welcome to the paradox of modern work: we’ve never been better at dividing our attention between trivial distractions, yet we struggle more than ever to focus on tasks that actually matter. Spoiler alert: this isn’t a capacity issue; it’s a case of pure laziness masquerading as burnout.
And then we blame the clock. Ah, the 8-hour workday—once a symbol of balanced productivity, offering ample time to get things done, contribute to society, and still enjoy life beyond work. Now, it’s the scapegoat for all our time management woes. “How could anyone possibly be productive in just 8 hours?” they whine. Well, newsflash—you can actually achieve a lot if you use those hours for work. But for many, this once reasonable structure has morphed into a suffocating prison, an obstacle standing in the way of their next Netflix binge, endless Instagram scrolling, or the ritual posting of food selfies on Facebook.
It’s not that there aren’t enough hours in the day. No, the problem lies elsewhere. We, as humans, have become masters of procrastination. We’ve honed it to an art form. Sure, we can multitask like pros when it comes to our personal lives—watching TV, texting, and planning tomorrow’s lunch all at once. But when it comes to work, when it comes to purposeful living—suddenly, we forget how to do more than one thing at a time. Curious, isn’t it?
So let’s dive into this fascinating paradox. How is it that someone can manage multiple social media accounts, track the storylines of five different TV series, and hold three conversations at once, yet feel overwhelmed when asked to handle two tasks at work? The answer is simple. It’s not the projects that are overwhelming—it’s the mindset. And yes, laziness plays a starring role in this modern comedy of errors.
But fear not, dear reader. We’re about to explore the absurdity of it all. From the Netflix marathoners who can’t seem to marathon their way through a simple workday, to the social media wizards who mysteriously lose all digital agility when it comes to answering work emails. Sit back, relax, and prepare for a deep dive into the strange world of modern “multitasking.” Spoiler alert: it’s going to get real—and it’s going to be funny.
Chapter 1: The Netflix Multitaskers: Can’t Work, Can’t Wait for the Next Episode
Ah, Netflix. The great enabler of procrastination. You’ve seen the type, right? They can conquer an entire 12-episode season of “Stranger Things” faster than you can say “Upside Down,” and they still manage to remember intricate character backstories and plot twists. And don’t even get me started on the simultaneous Instagramming—they’re capturing their snacks, analyzing the emotional trauma of Eleven, and planning their next online shopping haul all at once.
These people are modern-day wizards when it comes to multitasking—in their personal lives. But ask them to juggle a few tasks at work, and suddenly they’re acting like you just dropped a Rubik’s Cube in their lap. “Too many projects!” they wail as if you’ve handed them the blueprints to solve world hunger. How is it that they can effortlessly track multiple story arcs and character development across seven different shows, but managing five tasks at work feels like you’ve asked them to decode hieroglyphics?
The irony? Without the job that’s stressing them out, they wouldn’t even be able to afford that Netflix subscription. Yes, the very subscription they defend with their life! It’s like the ultimate circular trap—they’re too stressed to work because they need their Netflix break, but they need to work to afford Netflix. Ever notice that they can remember obscure plot details from a show they binge-watched two months ago, but can’t seem to remember the password to their work email? Funny how that works.
Chapter 2: The Social Media Scholars: Mastering the Art of Time-Wasting
Let’s move on to another species in the procrastinator’s ecosystem: the social media scholar. You know the type. These folks could write a PhD dissertation on the evolution of memes, but if you asked them to write a two-page report, they’d act like you asked them to solve quantum physics.
They’ll insist that their constant scrolling on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok is “networking” or “staying informed” when in reality, they’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of funny cat videos. Sure, you can be “staying informed” by reading 140-character takes on global crises, but is that going to help with your actual job? Spoiler alert: No.
What really boggles the mind is their incredible agility when switching between platforms. They can seamlessly jump from TikTok dance crazes to Twitter outrage in mere seconds, then over to Facebook, effortlessly keeping up with trending topics, viral videos, and the latest celebrity gossip. It’s like watching a digital Cirque du Soleil. But ask them to juggle two or three work-related tasks, and suddenly they’re overwhelmed.
And don’t even mention WhatsApp. These people belong to at least 12 groups at any given moment: family group, work group, conspiracy theory group, gym group, “Friends Who Hate Work” group—you name it, they’re in it. How they manage to keep up with all the GIFs, voice notes, and “Good Morning” memes while still pretending to work is beyond me. The average person spends around 17 hours a week on social media, with WhatsApp taking up a significant portion of that time. But ask them to handle two email chains about an actual project? Now they’re really stressed.
Chapter 3: The Overeaters and Oversleepers: Blaming Fatigue for Everything
Ah yes, the overeaters and oversleepers. These are the people with only two modes: “sleeping” and “eating.” They claim to be constantly exhausted, but you can’t help but wonder—exhausted from what, exactly? Certainly not from hard work. Maybe they’re worn out from staying up until 3 a.m. binge-watching “The Office” for the 10th time, ordering pizza at 2 a.m. for the third time this week, or drinking till 3 a.m. Or maybe it’s those late-night phone marathons with friends until 4 a.m.—activities that, unsurprisingly, have nothing to do with work.
The science of sleep says the average adult needs around 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. These folks? They’ve apparently decided they’re no average human. Nope, they need a full 12 hours—or more. And when they’re finally awake, they’re quick to claim that they’re too tired to work. From what? Navigating the world of online food delivery apps is the most exertion they’ve experienced all day.
Then there’s the eating part. Oh, they’ll tell you it’s “meal prep” and “self-care,” but let’s be real—they’ve turned lunch breaks into full-blown culinary adventures. Two-hour lunch breaks for a 20-minute sandwich? Why not! And after all that chewing, they’re obviously too tired to jump back into work. When the “Itis” hits, it hits hard, and suddenly, that pressing deadline has to wait until after nap time.
Chapter 4: Working on Multiple Projects: The Reality Check
Here’s a reality check for all the Netflix multitaskers, social media scholars, and perpetual nappers: in the real world, working on multiple projects is part of the deal. Unless your job involves defusing bombs or performing brain surgery—tasks where distraction is not an option—chances are you’re expected to handle more than one thing at a time.
Let’s look at some stats for a dose of reality from the respected Project Management Institute, a well-known organization that serves as the authority on project management:
- 59% of project managers juggle between two and five projects at once.
- 11% manage between six and ten projects.
- 15% brave souls are juggling more than ten projects simultaneously.
Now, you may be thinking, “Wow, that sounds overwhelming!” But is it really? Look, if you can manage a wardrobe for your virtual avatar in three different video games, keep up with the plotlines of six different Netflix shows, and remember your coworker’s birthday while navigating 17 different WhatsApp groups—surely you can handle more than one work assignment. The problem isn’t multitasking; the problem is motivation.
Chapter 5: Productivity, or the Lack Thereof
Let’s cut to the chase: the average person spends less than three (3) hours a day being productive. That’s right, less than three out of the eight hours you’re at work is spent on actual work. So what’s happening during those other five hours? Well, let’s see… there’s social media scrolling, snack breaks, mini-naps disguised as “thinking sessions,” and the occasional YouTube deep dive.
Some people love to throw out the “I’m so overworked!” line, but let’s be honest. If you can waste half your workday texting and shopping online, maybe the problem isn’t the workload. Maybe it’s that you’re not managing your time wisely.
Let’s talk about those who claim they’re “too busy” at work. You’ll find them engaged in full-blown conversations about their latest Netflix series, debating the merits of TikTok trends, diving into heated political discussions, or meticulously planning their fantasy football lineup. But when it comes to answering an email or updating a spreadsheet, suddenly it’s all too much.
Chapter 6: The Fun Side of Multitasking: Life is About Choices
Now, before we throw multitasking completely under the bus, let’s be real for a second. There’s actually a fun side to multitasking—yes, you heard me. If done right, it can keep your day dynamic and interesting. Think about it: working on just one thing all day long would be so boring. Juggling multiple tasks forces you to keep things fresh, stay alert, and switch gears, which can actually prevent burnout.
Here’s a kicker—those same people who say multitasking is stressful somehow manage to multitask in their personal lives like it’s second nature. They’ll plan a weekend trip while simultaneously messaging six friends, picking out an outfit, ordering coffee, and checking Instagram. But give them two work tasks and they’ll act like they need a month off to recover. Funny how life works, right?
Chapter 7: The Power of Common Sense: What We Can Learn from This
Here’s a revolutionary thought: if people applied even half of the energy they pour into distractions toward their work, we wouldn’t have productivity problems. It’s not complicated, folks. It’s called common sense. If you spend half your day on Facebook, you can’t turn around and say you’re “overworked.” That’s like ordering dessert and then complaining that the meal was too filling.
It’s time to face the facts. If you’re overwhelmed by work, maybe—just maybe—it’s time to stop scrolling through cat videos and actually do some, you know, work. Crazy idea, right? Imagine how much more could be accomplished if people actually used their work hours for working.
Chapter 8: A Little Tough Love
Alright, it’s time for some hard truths. No sugarcoating, no fluff—just real talk. To those of you who genuinely feel overwhelmed by your workload, listen up. If you’re buried under assignments, drowning in tasks, and unable to breathe under the weight of it all, you need to speak up. Say something, do something—because silently suffering helps no one, least of all you. If your workload is genuinely unmanageable, let your manager know before you burn out. That’s not weakness—it’s wisdom. There’s no heroism in collapsing under the weight of unrealistic expectations.
But now, let’s address the rest of you—the ones who claim to be overworked but are really just overstimulated by distractions. You know who you are. You spend hours each day pretending to be busy, perfecting the art of “looking productive” while secretly cycling through TikTok dances, binge-watching Netflix episodes, shopping, or hanging out while pretending to work remotely. Some of you even call in sick just to catch up on sleep, all while getting lost in YouTube rabbit holes. You’re “busy,” alright—busy wasting your potential, squandering your time, and dragging down the team in the process. In doing so, you’re bankrupting your company by stealing time that could drive growth and improve financial health, all so your paycheck can finance your laziness. Hard truth.
Let’s get one thing straight: multitasking is not your enemy. You are your own worst enemy. The problem isn’t that you have too much on your plate; it’s that you’re filling your time with nonsense, avoiding real work, and wondering why you’re not getting ahead. Poor time management isn’t just an excuse—it’s a fatal flaw that will kill your career if you let it.
Companies don’t rise because employees master the art of dodging responsibility. They don’t succeed when people are glued to their phones, scrolling aimlessly through feeds while deadlines loom. Success comes from focus, discipline, and grit. It comes from showing up—not just physically, but mentally. It comes from doing the hard work, not avoiding it under the guise of “stress.”
And here’s the real kicker: if you’re feeling “overwhelmed,” take a good hard look at why. Is it really the workload, or is it your obsession with constant digital distraction? Is your stress self-inflicted? Are you spending your days working—or just appearing to work while your mind is elsewhere? If you can spend hours curating the perfect Instagram post or binge-watching an entire season of a show, then you have the capacity for focus. You’re just choosing to waste it.
If you want to feel less overwhelmed, stop sabotaging yourself. Close the endless tabs, shut off the notifications, and do your job. Prioritize, execute, and eliminate distractions. I promise, the work will feel a whole lot more manageable when you actually give it your full attention.
And if you still feel “too busy” after cutting out all the fluff? I’ve got news for you—there’s always more work that needs doing. You think you’re too busy now? Try carrying the weight of those who are truly pulling their weight every single day while you clock out mentally halfway through your shift. So if you’re still not sure what to do, any great manager will be happy to offload some of her own responsibilities onto your plate. There’s no shortage of work—just a shortage of people willing to put in the effort.
The world doesn’t reward those who half-commit, who complain about stress but do nothing to manage it, who waste hours and then wonder why they’re behind. You want success? You want less stress? Earn it by being fully present, by putting in the hours where it counts. Otherwise, go ahead—get back to your Netflix, your social media, and all the other distractions that make an 8-hour workday feel like an endless loop of missed potential. But don’t be surprised when you find yourself standing still while everyone else moves ahead—or when you are the first to be laid off in a downturn.
A typical CEO or small business owner may work 50 to 80 hours a week, and she will be happy to pass some of it along. After all, in the words of every boss who’s ever existed: “If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.” Now, go back to Netflix, social media, and all the distractions that have turned a simple 8-hour workday into an epic saga of wasted potential.
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a globally recognized public accounting and management consultancy firm. Under his visionary leadership, JS Morlu has become a pioneer in developing cutting-edge technologies across B2B, B2C, P2P, and B2G verticals. The firm’s groundbreaking innovations include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), setting new industry standards for efficiency, accuracy, and technological excellence.
