Multitasking is a skill many say comes naturally to women. This might be true, but I feel that today we have taken multitasking to the next level! Our hectic modern lives with the multiple concurrent streams of responsibilities, be it work, family, study, home duties, finances, sporting activities, physical exercise, community, being creative – ahhhh the list goes on! We are now really mindlessly multitasking in many situations. We wish we had a magic emergency “stop” button to stop the treadmill of life or we feel we are going to implode, explode or self-combust! BANG! Sometimes I have literally gone BANG! Those around me have been casualties for sure (sorry!).
Don’t get me wrong – I love the way I can multitask and organise multiple things at once. I see this as a particular strength. I have come to realise however that I am rarely ever “present” to use that swanky term we all seem to also use these days. Swanky this term may seem; however, it has a lot to say! Being present means you get to focus, think, tune in to how you are feeling about a task or situation, be thorough, problem solve efficiently, identify emotions and at a simple level not be rushed and get to do something well, properly and joyfully. After a normal day of mindless multitasking I often feel like I have been on an endless washing machine spin cycle! I come out wrung out, a bit stretched and washed out! Sound familiar?????
Signs you are mindlessly multitasking:
- Rushing everywhere
- Not completing tasks
- Constantly stopping and starting the same task
- Forgetting what you were doing or how you even got somewhere
- Not listening completely
- Chronic exhaustion
- Feeling you never get to complete anything or do anything properly
- Always thinking you should be doing something or there is always something that has to be done
- Feeling empty and insincere. Life is just a series of transactions and tasks to be completed
Effects of multitasking on your body:
- Reduced brain function and IQ! (University of London).
- Possible damage to our brains that can be permanent (University of Sussex).
- Reduced cognitive ability, empathy and emotional control (Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin).
- Increased anxiety and depression (University of Michigan)
- Increase in production of the stress hormone cortisol leading to adrenal fatigue (Your Hormones)
The above are good reasons to try to reduce your levels of multitasking:
I have been testing out focusing on one thing at a time. Not answering the phone and at the same time typing on my computer, reading and replying to emails, waving at someone over the counter to put something somewhere – all at the same time! This is my normal…….. I have been listening more attentively to people, being more personal, allowing myself to complete one task at a time. I often write notes or messages to myself so I don’t forget things and come back to them later. I have been having some amazing conversations with my 15yo son. Sitting and listening to him rather than brushing him off and not really stopping to hear what he is saying. I am the driver in the seat, setting the pace, being more realistic with myself, giving myself permission to slow down – yes I am going to say it – “smell the roses”. I am rebelling. Against the mindless multitasking. I am not a machine or a widget in a factory be it at work, home or out and about. I want to do things thoroughly, well and calmly. Yes, there are times we have to step up and work under pressure to get certain things done. Think on our feet quickly and efficiently.
You are the driver:
Remember – you are the driver of the bus in your life and determine if all the seats are full! You have an accelerator, break and stop button. You don’t have to pay a “toll” and accept what you think is the hand you have been dealt. Don’t buy into the modern mantra that “this is how it is” or “I don’t have any other choice”. Saying NO is necessary at times, mostly to ourselves. Saying NO is liberating, powerful and often essential. Be the driver of your bus not just the instructor. Here’s to a slower and more joyful you. Be kinder to yourselves.
Written from my calmer heart, mind and body for yours.
Iris May
12th June 2020
Be Kind to Yourselves - BK2Y 