I love a good productivity hack, don’t you? Time-blocking, to-do list apps, “eat the frog” mornings… if you’re a busy professional, you probably use all of these, and more. And one of the most popular, time-honored hacks floating around right now is batching: grouping similar tasks together and tackling them in one go to save time and brainpower.

Sounds brilliant, right?

And it is – for the right task, at the right time, when you’re in the right mood, with the right mindset. (That’s a lot of “rights.”) But like many trendy techniques, batching isn’t a magic wand. In fact, it can backfire pretty dramatically if it doesn’t play nicely with the way your brain and body actually function.

Let’s examine why batching can be super useful… and why sometimes, well, it’s just a batch of trouble. (Bam! Landed my batch joke.)

What’s batching, anyway?

OK, so let’s make sure we’re all talking about the same thing here. Batching is the idea that if you group together similar tasks – like answering all your emails in one go, or recording a week’s worth of TikToks in a single afternoon – you’ll save time and mental energy. And in theory, that’s exactly what it does.

It’s a favorite strategy of productivity pros and time management nerds everywhere (I say that with love, because I’m one of ‘em). And to be fair, batching has some solid science behind it.

When it works, batching feels like a magic trick, like maybe you’ve hacked the Matrix. So before we start poking holes in it, let’s first give it the credit it deserves…

When batching shines

There’s a reason so many people swear by batching – it can be super effective when used in the right situations.

If you’ve ever knocked out three errands in one trip, returned five emails with lightning speed, or prepped a week’s worth of meals on Sunday night, congrats! You’ve batched. And probably felt like a superhero doing it.

Batching can be your go-to hack when:

• The tasks are fairly straightforward or repetitive
• You’re riding a wave of focus or energy
• You’ve got a nice chunk of uninterrupted time

It works because it takes advantage of momentum. You get into the groove of performing one singular type of task, and the unchanging rhythm propels you forward. Once you’re in the zone, you let it work for as long as it serves you.

But the key phrase here is “for as long as it serves you,” because there are times when batching will wear you down in a way that feels absolutely mind-numbing.

When batching bombs

Sometimes batching sounds good in theory, but feels awful in practice. Like, “I was going to reply to 20 emails and now I’m weeping over my keyboard” kind of awful.

And therein lies the sneaky downside – batching can actually exhaust you if it’s not a good fit for your mood, energy level, or task type, so let’s walk through a few common scenarios where batching starts to misbehave.

You’re mentally fried

Ever try to batch tasks at the end of a long day, and your brain’s like, “Cute idea, but we don’t think so.” If your cognitive tank is empty, even the smallest batch can feel like torture.

The task is emotionally loaded

Batching emotionally tough stuff (like conflict-heavy emails or important decision-making tasks) can put your nervous system through the wringer. You’re stacking stress on stress, with no time to breathe in between.

The batch is too big

Ambition is great, but batching ten giant tasks in one go? That’s not batching – that’s a recipe for exhaustion. The bigger the batch, the more likely you are to feel overwhelmed and bail halfway through.

Your day doesn’t cooperate

Even the best-laid batching plans fall apart when life barges in with unexpected meetings, urgent calls, creative slumps, or your dog eating your favorite pen. Real life is complicated, and our days are rarely as neat as our calendars.

You’re not a repetition lover

Some of us actually feel happy and energized by doing repetitive tasks, while others feel like their brains are slowly melting. If you’re in the second group, batching may feel more like a punishment than a productivity tool. (Helpful hint: then don’t batch! There are lots of other productivity tools that might suit you better.)

Why this happens: A peek inside the brain

OK, if you’ve been reading me for a while, you knew this was coming…it’s a nerd alert! Let’s look at the brain science behind why batching sometimes backfires. (Quick answer: we’re humans working with very human hardware.)

From an evolutionary perspective, batching makes a lot of sense. Our early ancestors didn’t have the luxury of multitasking all day long—they had to focus on one survival-oriented goal at a time: gather all the berries, eliminate all the hazards, build all the shelters. Bouncing between tasks would’ve wasted precious energy and slowed everything down. So our brains evolved to reward focus and routine – especially when those tasks promised a payoff (food! safety! warmth!). But modern life asks us to batch emails, spreadsheets, and Slack messages instead, and, well… our brains are not quite as jazzed about those. Brains love patterns, but only to a point.

What’s more, batching asks a lot of your brain’s executive functions – things like focus, planning, and decision-making. But those systems tire out fairly easily, and once they start to sputter, things fall apart. Here’s what happens:

• Cognitive flexibility starts to slip, so shifting to the next task in the batch becomes harder
• Emotional regulation takes a hit, especially if the tasks are draining – you’re more likely to feel defeated, or cranky, or even a little bit weepy. (Ever wanted to cry for no good reason? That’s emotional dys-regulation wreaking havoc, and you need a break.)
• Dopamine (your “oooh this feels good” chemical) drops when there’s no novelty or reward
• Attention residue (fancy name, huh?) builds up – your brain is still thinking about the last task while trying to start the next one

So your brain isn’t trying to sabotage you. It’s just asking for a little variety. Or maybe a nap.

Better batching: 5 ways to make it work for your brain

Still love the idea of batching? Me, too! (Truth be told, batching is my go-to, favorite productivity hack. I use it all the time.) So here are five batch-friendly tweaks that will support your mental energy:

1. Time-cap your batches. Instead of batching for two hours, try 24 to 30 minutes. Set a timer, and when it rings, walk away. Trust me. The world won’t fall apart. (Probably.)
2. Mix up your energy types. Follow a focus-heavy batch with something lighter and non-batch-like. Emails, then a walk. Pay bills, then play guitar.
3. Check your mood first. Before you batch, ask yourself, “Do I have the juice for this right now?” If the answer’s no (and assuming you have the option), try a different productivity style – you can always go back and do some batching when you’re feelin’ it.
4. Shrink your batches. You don’t need to do all the things. Start with three. Finish them. Celebrate. You’re winning.
5. Track what works. After batching, make a quick note: “Did that feel good?” If not, adjust for next time. Try a different type of task, or a different time of day. You’re building a personal playbook.

Final thought: You’re not a robot

Here’s the bottom line: batching isn’t good or bad. It’s just a tool. If it helps, fantastic. If not, toss it aside and don’t look back. You’re not failing at batching; you’re succeeding at doing what works for you. You’re a beautifully complex, adaptable human being, and it’s about learning how you work best!

---