Science

Find break points.

When we switch between tasks, we pay what’s been dubbed a ‘switch cost,’” Dr. Wagner said.

Dr. Mark suggested you start by observing yourself throughout the day, noticing when and how you task-switch without realizing it.

Start small.

Stick to your strengths.

Weigh the risks.

We can’t really do more than one thing at a time, experts say.

Most of us avoid boredom if we can, Dr. Byers explained, and multitasking is a reliable way to ward it off.

A black bear broke into a resident's car.

Aristotle wrote of 'the golden mean' – in this case, the right amount of deliberation.

People who are too impulsive should be less so, and people who are too deliberative should be less so.

The best general advice is to avoid impulsive decisions and to avoid feeling the need to look at every option.

Look at all the options and study decisions that will greatly impact your life.

The best way to make decisions may be by combining maximiser and satisficer tendencies.

They want to maximise the outcome, so they lose a lot of time in the process.

These are people who "have trouble making decisions because they're trying to get it perfectly right", says Stephanie Preston, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan.

On paper, their decisions may look like the most logical or efficient, since they've spent so much time deliberating possibilities and potential results.

They also rely less on outside sources, meaning they’re less likely to scour online reviews, or get as much information as possible when making decisions.

They make decisions faster, weigh fewer choices and go with their gut.

Instead of the ‘best’ choice, they're fine with what's acceptable.