The Illusion of Multitasking
Are you Mentally Fit?
True fitness isn’t just physical—it's training your mind to be as resilient, focused, and unstoppable as your body. At Mentally Fit With Ellin, we build strength from the inside out.
1. A Personal Story & Lesson
As an ambitious entrepreneur, I used to pride myself on juggling multiple things at once. I believed multitasking was my secret weapon, helping me conquer my goals faster. But that illusion shattered when I left my full-time job to run my own practice. Suddenly, I wasn’t just seeing clients—I was handling billing, marketing, sales, and all the endless admin work of a one-person business. My days were chaotic, jumping from one task to the next. By the end of each day, I felt completely drained yet strangely unproductive.
It didn’t take long to realize I was scattered and needed a system—a way to focus on what truly mattered without being pulled in a million directions. That’s when I began rethinking how I worked, and everything started to shift.
The truth is, multitasking isn’t a strength—it’s a productivity killer. Research shows that the human brain can’t truly multitask. What we’re really doing is rapid task-switching, which decreases productivity, increases errors and drains mental energy. Each time we switch tasks, our brain needs time to reorient itself, leading to cognitive overload. As a result, our focus fragments, making it harder to retain information and perform at our best.
I came across a startling statistic: 87% of knowledge workers are working two hours later every day compared to 2019, yet over one-quarter of deadlines are missed each week.
The realization hit me hard while reading The One Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan. The book was recommended by a friend I deeply admire: Ariel Zebaida, an Investor, Entrepreneur, and Lifetime Traveler, who’s also the Co-Founder of StepStone, a virtual job simulation platform. StepStone helps students explore career fit and build job-specific skills while enabling employers to efficiently identify, assess, and hire top undergraduate talent. Ariel is absolutely crushing it in her ventures, and when someone like that tells you to read a book, you listen.
The One Thing drove home the importance of focusing on one task at a time, a principle that applies not just to entrepreneurs, but to anyone striving to live a more present, productive life.
2. Mentally Fit Mindset Hack: The Illusion of Multitasking
Reflective Question: Have you ever been in a conversation where someone claims they’re listening, but you know they aren’t? Maybe they’re scrolling through their phone, answering a text, or sneaking a glance at an email. Or what about a parent “playing” with their kids while distracted by notifications, or a young professional spending half their workout scrolling social media between sets?
Now let me ask you: when was the last time you did this? High achievers and busy professionals often believe they’re maximizing time by multitasking, but the reality is quite the opposite. We’re not multitasking; we’re task-switching. Each time we switch, we lose focus, drain mental energy, and delay progress toward our goals.
Stop Saying, “I Don’t Have Time”
Here’s the hard truth: you have enough hours in the day. It’s not about time—it’s about choice. You choose what to prioritize.
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “I don’t have enough time,” stop right there. That’s not a time problem—it’s a perception problem. Maybe you’re not happy with how you’re spending your hours, and that’s okay; many of us aren’t. The first step toward real change is owning your choices and deciding what truly matters.
What is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is a simple yet powerful tool to take control of your day. It involves scheduling specific blocks of time on your calendar for focused tasks—whether it’s “deep focus work,” “play with kids,” “meal prep,” “strategy calls,” or “go to the gym.” Each task gets its own dedicated block of time, allowing you to focus fully without distractions.
This method isn’t about rigidly structuring every moment of your day; it’s about intentionality. By assigning each task its own time, you eliminate the mental clutter of deciding what to do next. The result? You work more efficiently, feel less overwhelmed, and achieve higher-quality results.
“If there’s one thing that can be said about the modern workplace, it’s this: If you don’t control your schedule, it will control you.” — Ellin Gurvitch
3. Action Plan
7 Tips to Start Time Blocking Today
Figure Out When You’re Most Productive
Identify your peak productivity hours. Do you feel energized in the morning? Use that time for tasks requiring focus and creativity. Feel sluggish in the afternoon? Schedule smaller tasks like answering emails. Have a second wind in the evening? Save meaningful tasks for then.List Your Priorities
Write down everything you need to accomplish, from professional tasks to personal moments like cooking dinner, laundry, or spending time with loved ones.Block Your Calendar
Use a calendar tool like Google, iCal, or even a paper planner, and assign specific time slots for each task. For example, block 9:00–10:30 a.m. for deep work, 5:30–6:00 p.m. to play with your kids, and 8:00–8:30 p.m. for social media. Color-code tasks for visual clarity and motivation.Set Boundaries
During each block, commit fully to that task. Silence your phone, turn off notifications, and communicate your availability to others.Brain Dump for Clarity
If random thoughts or tasks pop into your head, jot them down on a sticky note or in a journal. This keeps your mind clear and helps you refocus quickly.Take Recharge Breaks
After completing a time block, take a 10-15 minute break. Stand up, stretch, or grab a drink. These breaks help your brain reset and prepare for the next task.Review and Adjust
At the end of each workday, review your progress. Note any tasks you didn’t complete and new ones that have come in. Adjust your time blocks for the rest of the week to ensure you stay on track and prepared for what’s ahead.
Imagine how much more intentional and productive your day could feel. Time blocking isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about making intentional choices with your time.
"Knowing what the day means to me helps me prioritize what truly matters without getting overwhelmed by a long list of 'shoulds.' This clarity keeps me from burning out on unnecessary decisions and leaves me with more energy to enjoy the things that bring me joy—whether it's connecting with friends, working out, or simply unwinding." — Client Anonymous
Every person’s schedule looks different, so your time-blocked calendar will be unique to you. But if you implement these seven strategies, here’s what your day might look like:
“Be like a postage stamp…stick to one thing until you get there.” - Steve Jobs
4. Client Win (Anonymous): From Overwhelmed to In Control
A client of mine, let’s call her Sarah, is a high-performing marketing executive at a fast-paced company. Like many corporate professionals, she wore multiple hats at work—managing campaigns, attending endless meetings, and juggling tight deadlines. On top of that, Sarah was determined to hit the gym regularly and stay social by attending events and catching up with friends. But there was a problem: Sarah felt completely scattered. Her days were a blur of jumping between emails, last-minute projects, and scrolling social media between sets at the gym.
When we first talked, Sarah described her life as a chaotic balancing act. She wanted to excel in her career, stay fit, and maintain an active social life, but the constant multitasking left her feeling exhausted and behind on everything. The worst part? She started to feel guilty and bad about herself. No matter how much she tried to juggle, she felt like she was failing to show up fully—whether at work, at the gym, or with friends. The constant stress left her more anxious, tired, and increasingly frustrated.
If you feel this way, it’s okay. Most of us do at some point. It is just information that something needs to change in your life. I’m here to help you make those changes. The good news? With the right strategies, you can take back control of your time and energy, just like Sarah did.
The Turning Point
That’s when we introduced time blocking. Sarah was skeptical—how could structuring her day more rigidly actually give her more freedom? But she committed to giving it a shot. Together, we mapped out her priorities and blocked her calendar for deep work, meetings, gym time, and even social activities. By setting clear boundaries, she created space for everything without feeling overwhelmed. Most importantly, during her “distraction-free” blocks, she put her phone away—no emails, no notifications, no scrolling.
The Results
Within weeks, Sarah noticed a massive shift. Not only was she meeting her work deadlines more efficiently, but she also made it to happy hour with friends without guilt. She even carved out time for herself in the evenings, something she hadn’t done in years. At the gym, she stayed off her phone and focused fully on her workouts, leading to better results and a renewed sense of accomplishment.
Sarah’s key takeaway? It’s not about having more hours in the day—it’s about choosing how you spend them. By adopting time blocking, she regained control, balanced her work and social life, and found time for what truly mattered.
5. Building Connections, Creating Impact: My Latest Highlights
Crafting Flavor: Mentally Fit with Ellin x After Hours Club Dinner
This past Sunday, I hosted my first-ever Mentally Fit with Ellin dinner in collaboration with After Hours Club. The evening explored the connection between food, mindful creativity, and mental wellness, held at the beautiful Miriam Street Food. Every detail of the dinner was thoughtfully curated to nourish both the mind and body.
I had the honor of speaking about my personal story, the role of nutrition, and the importance of mental and physical wellness. The evening was elevated by the presence of a talented pianist, a skilled photographer capturing the moments, and a group of inspiring participants who made the event truly special.
I’m so grateful to everyone who joined and supported this incredible evening. At Mentally Fit With Ellin, it’s all about finding the mind-body connection—training your mind to be as resilient, focused, and unstoppable as your body. Together, we’re building strength from the inside out.
If you’d like to be included in future events, be sure to follow me on Instagram, where I post updates, and stay up to date with this newsletter. If you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect!
High-Performance Workshop at TS Fitness NYC
This past Monday, I had the incredible opportunity to lead a High-Performance Workshop with the amazing coaches at TS Fitness NYC!
We explored the key strategies that empower high achievers to reach their potential:
Embodying grit and resilience to overcome challenges
Building trust and fostering communication for stronger teams
Crafting intentional systems for consistent success
Understanding that high performance is built on systems, not just talent
These principles transcend the gym—they’re essential in the workplace, relationships, and every area of life. Sustainable growth and lasting impact come from systems designed to set us up for success.
A huge thank you to TS Fitness NYC, Noam Tamir, and the entire team for their openness, leadership, and commitment to growth. High performers know it’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter by building systems that allow you to thrive every day.
If your team or organization is ready to elevate performance and embrace the Mentally Fit mindset, let’s connect! Together, we can build a culture of champions.
What You’ll Get from This Newsletter
Thank you for being here! In every issue, I’ll share strategies, insights, and tools designed for ambitious high achievers looking to elevate their mental game. You can expect actionable tips, coaching techniques, and real-life examples to help you stay Mentally Fit, no matter what challenges come your way.
I’d love to hear from you—what topics or questions are on your mind? Drop a comment or send me a message—I’m here to make this newsletter as valuable as possible for you!
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