Multitasking madness
My name is Alicia and I am addicted to multitasking.
Like most woman I know I am extremely talented in the area of doing 10 things at once and feel it is the only way I can tick off all that needs to be done on a daily basis.
Multitasking for me goes something like this…
I switch on the jug to make myself a cup of tea, I notice the water filter needs filling so I turn on the tap and fill the bottle, while the tap is running I put away the dishes, quickly return to turn the tap off and pour water in the filter, then finish putting away the dishes. Meanwhile my daughter has asked me to watch her perfecting her rolling so I go to watch while texting back a friend….I forget all about the tea and go to hang out the washing….you get the idea.
Lately I’ve noticed it’s taking over my life, I’m not happy unless I’m doing at least 2 things at once, usually it’s more like 3 or 4. It’s creeping its way into my mind during my yoga, I will be moving through my practice thinking about things I need to do, how I can fit them all in and the best way to go about doing them in the shortest amount of time. Although this way of getting things done is extremely efficient, it is not a relaxed way to live and things rarely get done with the amount of attention they deserve.
The problem? When we multitask we miss out on the beauty of being in the moment. Mundane jobs can actually be a form of mindfulness, a meditation, and everything we do in life is an opportunity to be present. How often do you actually feel the water on your skin when you are doing the dishes? Or listen to the bubbling of water as the jug boils for your tea? Kids live in a completely different world to adults, one where time doesn’t exist, for my 3 year old Christmas is just so far away she can’t even fathom it, and when you watch a child they are completely absorbed in the task in front of them. When we multitask we rip ourselves off from living in the present, our lives are lived at warp speed and beautiful moments pass by unnoticed.
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The solution? I am not ready to stop multitasking, some days it’s a necessity for survival, but I’m starting at the best place to start – mindfulness. I have become, and am trying to become more, mindful of what I am doing whether it be hanging out the washing or sitting in meditation I am working towards doing rather than ticking things off my list, and if at the end of the day there are things that didn’t get done at least I can say what I did achieve was of quality.
I am setting aside time when I am just with my daughter, time when I will only focus on one thing at a time, and time when it’s ok to fit in some good old fashioned multitasking to smash out the chores.
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Excellent!!!! Think I have become better with age, looking back I missed so many 'special' times with my children all because the world would end if I didn't do 50million things!!! Well it didn't and hasn't ended and now I have been given another chance 2 beautiful grandsons and trust me they have and continue to keep me grounded and living in the moment it's so so amazing I love it! Don't be too hard on yourself, at least u are aware and mindful the only way is up!!! X x x x
One Comment
Nards is like that, as soon as she actually sits down for 5 seconds she starts to do that head-nod thing where you are falling asleep on the couch! She is go-go-go or asleep. There is no middle ground!