Happy New Year! Beginning in 2010, I will be writing shorter tips on a more regular basis, which I hope will give you additional information and leave more room for discussion. I encourage you to ask questions in the comment section below, or go directly to the Facebook fan page. I will answer these questions periodically throughout the month. I would like to share some ideas about Multitasking and ways to reduce it in order to help you slow down and live in the present moment.
What is Multitasking?
It is when you handle more than one task at the same time or perform multiple projects on parallel tracks. Society now functions at a very fast pace and continues to move exponentially using many gadgets and internet sites. We are now connected to the world 24/7 and this instant information makes us feel on top of everything that is going on yet multitasking has been criticized as a hindrance to feeling happy.
In addition, Western society gives the message that to day dream wastes time and to be busy and productive is of value. To further, exacerbate this situation, you are encouraged to stay busy in order to avoid unpleasant thoughts or experiences. Initially activity does decrease your thoughts and worries and can be helpful when dealing with pain. The dilemma is that eventually the current level of activity is no longer effective and the pain gets more insistent forcing you to ramp up your activity.
Could Multitasking be a hindrance to you?
In an effort to keep stress contained, you get busier and your body learns to function in 5th gear and finds it difficult to slow down, relax and even sleep. Studies have shown that multitasking actually diminishes the effectiveness of performing tasks, increasing stress and activating the fight/flight response (see Dec tip).Constant multitasking has been found to actually diminish brain function and kills brain cells. (David Meyer,
Join me January 15 when I respond to your questions and share some ways to decrease the stress caused by Multitasking.
Blog Questions/Comment:
What keeps hooks you into multitasking?
What else would you like to know?
Please feel free to comment or ask questions.
“It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day., It’s a new life for me. And I’m feeling good” (“Feeling Good” lyrics by Micahel Buble)
January 4th, 2010 at 6:33 am
I had just been reading some of Henri Nouwen’s work and the whole section dealt with how we value ourselves by what we do. Getting this double message reminds me to re-examine myself and refocus.
January 12th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Your tip on multitasking really resonated with me. For years I was proud to be a “multitasker”; now I am just tired. It started off so easily, I was young, energetic and driven. I prided myself in how much I could achieve in a day! But some where along the line the bar just kept getting higher. I became more successful at my job, got married, had kids. As my responsibilities grew and so did the multitasking! Now all this juggling is just expected of me and continues to worsen as the kids become teenagers and my company keeps downsizing. I am constantly in “5th gear” which is not only dangerous but it is burning up my fuel. What do I do? This is my life!!!! How do I slow this down?
February 1st, 2010 at 7:13 am
Multitaasking is visible. The fight/flight symptoms are felt. What has crept into ourlives without being full aware is: the American culture of “instant” that we take for granted. E-mails, the telephone, tv, fast food. All these are erroding our well being .It struck me recently during
Mass out of town. The pace was so slow I wanted to scream within. I had no place to be or do
at that moment. An Oprah ‘light bulb ” moment. My very being has become “instant”. I even
take my tea out of the micro with just seconds left. I have become attuned to the most common thoughts, actions that I expect “instant”. This is not a decision. This has become intergrated into my being. Another manifestation of multitasking. Quiet time? Meditation? Just
being? Very challenging, yet it is who we are called to be. It’s vital that we reclaim our true selves. I, we need to once again treasure ourselves. Breathing deeply is a good start.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:59 am
Becky,
At least being aware of the issue is good start. If we don’t know that we are multitasking, we can’t decide if we want to change it. What I find helpful is to take a weekend or even a day and try to get everything off my plate in order to slow down. This way it helps my body get used to being still. I must confess that I often jump back into doing too much at a time. I find that being unrealistic about what I can accomplish and not prioritizing is part of what causes me to multitask.
I wonder what others would say causes it for them…..