Break The Habit of Multitasking
The method of focusing multiple things at a time is called multitasking. The theory is that multitasking allows you to do more than one thing at a time. Sounds like the perfect answer to productivity woes, doesn’t it? This week I am going to focus on multitasking and how it actually complicates our lives and makes us less productive and ultimately less peaceful. In this article I will tackle a very specific way to start training yourself to not multitask.
Your day has been frantic, the phone is ringing off the hook, there are emergencies everywhere, you are hungry, tired and the kids are crying. You want to back off, stop doing 50 things at once, but you are on autopilot, and you can’t seem to break free. Sadly, your days are like this more often than not. How can you learn to single-task when you are so used to multitasking?
The answer is practice.
There are many methods to still your mind, but the one I like best is a form of meditation. Now don’t go running off here at the mention of meditation. One of the things meditation can bring you is a slowing down of your brain. This form of meditation does that. You will need about 5 to 10 minutes in a place where you won’t be disturbed.
To start, get comfortable. Close your eyes (with practice you will be able to keep them open). Breathe. With each breath focus on the air. In and out.
If thoughts intrude (and they will), gently push them aside. You may have thoughts, but you are not obliged to think them. Just keep breathing.
With practice, you will be able to still your mind. This single-minded focus on your breathing is a powerful form of single-tasking, and will help you train yourself out of the multitasking habit.
Remember, just breathe!
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[...] too long ago I posted articles on the negative impact of multitasking. Not long after that, I ran across an article from Robert [...]