A lesson learned: stop multitasking
After returning from my quarterly trip to my parents to cook for them, I am noticing a huge change in my demeanor my first morning back to work. I am not exhausted. I don’t feel overwhelmed. Well, that is, no more overwhelmed than I normally do! What was different on this trip? I felt the same stresses before I left that I always do, but something was quite different when I was there.
I didn’t work.
I didn’t take my computer out of the bag the entire trip.
Due to COVID-19, the local Starbucks where I parked myself each morning in the past had no seating available on this trip. In addition, I didn’t want to sit in a public place and expose myself to strangers while I was staying with my parents. My only outings were to the grocery store and my best friend’s house. I focused on my parents and that was it.
In addition, I made sure I got exercise every day. I drove into town and walked the high school track. Just for 20-30 minutes. Then, I ordered my Starbucks latte and breakfast and ate it in the car while watching HULU.
I did have a couple of emails I had to answer, but no major emergencies to deal with. It was quite a learning experience.
I had more appreciation for just being with my mom and dad.
I had more appreciation for being in the country and slowing down.
I immediately thought, “How can I apply this to more areas of my life?”
I often try to do a million things at once. I jump from task to task like I’m playing wack-a-mole. I skip morning exercise to dive right into that huge to-do list. I sweat the small stuff.
This week, I plan to rethink my workday. Should I be more focused on just one or two tasks a day? How can I put bigger dents in my to-do list by not trying to do it all at once? I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
“Inevitably we find ourselves tackling too many things at the same time, spreading our focus so thin that nothing gets the attention it deserves. This is commonly referred to as “being busy.” Being busy, however, is not the same thing as being productive.”
― Ryder Carroll
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