Singletasking Monday is Here!

We lose quite a bit of productivity by multi-tasking, and the ripple effect of that lack of mindfulness can be felt in our relationships too. Have you ever wanted to talk to your partner but he was clued to the computer screen. He was giving you attention - sort of - but it did not feel like you were valued.

Have you ever been on the phone with someone who was obviously doing something else while you two talked? She was in the conversation, but not fully.

Tim Sanders has challenged us all to stop the insanity of multi-tasking and single-task today. Do one thing at a time and do it whole-heartedly.

Are you up for the challenge? I am frankly a bit daunted by it. I multi-task a lot and so I am going to have to be very intentional about how I work today.

My challenge is increased by the presence of my new iPhone - talk about the perfect toy - er-phone.. Today I will only use my iPhone when I am doing nothing else. Not while I am watching the news, not when I am cooking.

Also, like a lot of folks, I leave my email open all day - so I can check on messages as they arrive. However, today, I am going to close the email program and check the emaill when I have time to devote to it.

I feel a sense of excitement about singletasking. There is something deep within me that says "this is the way we should live"

Good luck to you!! Let me know how your day goes.
Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
CounselingBlog

Comments

[Nancy]

Hi Cynthia, well, I must report I've failed miserably at single-tasking today. In my own defense, the day began with learning that my daughter needs to have 8 teeth removed prior to orthodontia, our second horse has come down with the same rhino-virus the first one had (despite quarantine, darn it), and my city foresters cut down the wrong tree on my property. I did find it hard to focus on anything but one crisis after another.

Maybe I'll try single-tasking again tomorrow...

I hope others had better results!

Best regards,
Nancy

[Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC]

Nancy, what a difficult day - yikes. Your daughter, your horse and a no doubt beautiful tree - I am so sorry.

Single-tasking is an important idea, but even mindful people have to deal with crisis when they pop up.

Cynthia
*************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

[Dina]

Eight teeth removed?! Yikes, that's eight less teeth that person will have when they're old and may need them.

Unless they have eight extra teeth to begin with, is this a wise move? I hope it's not too late to rethink the situation.

Single tasking... hummm... what's that again?

[Personal Development Reviews]

Well doing a single task at a time is really interesting but one forgets about the other work that he/she might have.Hence multi tasking is good but single tasking is better..!

[Jon Bourne]

Hi, Cynthia,

You might be interested in "The 4 Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss. I met him at a conference in Austin last March, and I'm reading his book. It talks about this very issue, though he doesn't call it singletasking. Visit 4hourworkweek.com for more info.