Multi-tasking

Reflections July 3rd

Upon reflection, multi-tasking seems like a myth. Sure, one can breath and do other things at the same time (e.g., walk, read, make love, etc.); however, breathing is an involuntary action that doesn’t require thought. Although during my work life, I claimed to be multi-tasking, I’ve recently realized that it isn’t possible; in reality, I was just inefficiently and rapidly switching between multiple tasks.

Reading Meditation Now or Never by Steve Hagen, helped me to recognize this myth about multi-tasking and it is helping me to simplify my life and be present. For example, during my busy work lifestyle, I commonly read or worked on my computer and listened to the radio/music while eating and thought this was multi-tasking. In reality, I realize now that my mind was just quickly switching between these activities rather than doing all 3 at the same time - which is impossible; the result was that I didn’t fully listen to the radio/music, didn’t fully comprehend all of what I was reading/doing, ate too fast, and didn’t always appreciate my food. This is just one example and while I’m not criticizing this practice or anyone, I’ve realized that by focusing my full attention on only one of these activities at a time, I am more likely to be present in the here and now. This is easier said than done and like anything, it requires consistent practice to master it. Today for example, I took an hour to prepare and eat a salad; during this time I did not listen to the radio, work on my computer, or read and tried to focus my complete attention on the smell, taste, and texture of each bite I was chewing. After lunch, I read for awhile in silence and then after awhile, put my book down and listened to music on the radio. 

I’m not preaching; just sharing what I’m doing/learning on my journey:) Quitting work has allowed me to reflect, learn, and pursue a lifestyle orders of magnitude lower on the stress scale compared to my former work lifestyle. I’m so fortunate to be.