The power of MONOtasking.

I dont wanna distract my brain during this…

We’ve established Im a misfit.

If theres a normal order to something—chances are I’ll do it backwards.  My life just unravels unfolds that way.

As a result, I was the Queen of Multitasking *before* we made our duo a trio.

I was renown (not in a good way) for my ability to simultaneously talk on the phone, email, plan a client’s workout, do my own workout, & edit an article.

Instead of motherhood turning me into a multi-tasker (the normal, necessary course of things) the Tornado taught me the power of MONOtasking.

When she played—with anything from stickers to silly putty—she focused exclusively on the task at hand.

She wouldnt color while concurrently watching television, eating a snack & debating which toys to bring in the bath.

She was–and is–a MONOtasker.   Whether five minutes or fifty she focuses her attention on one thing at a time until she’s finished.

now when I meditate I ONLY meditate.

I lied to me.

I told myself MONOtasking was GREAT for a child but didnt make sense for adults.

My to-do list was pages long.  It was imperative I tackle multiple tasks at once in order to get everything done.

Or was it?

When I took a long look at my multitasking I realized this:

I was exhausted.  I rushed through my days bouncing from task to task.  I ended my days with nothing fully accomplished and feeling like a failure.

I was a Jane of all tasks and master of none.

I realized the only tasks I completed were those which didnt require much brainpower (not how I wanted to spend my day).I realized I could keep multitasking & the end result would be Id never do anything exceedingly well (from motherhood to mizfit).I realized multitasking for me was a form of distraction. It was a socially encouraged way to not be present.I realized multitasking was not how I wanted to live. hows that hectic life working for ya?

I was overwhelmed by how to change my ways till I realized it was a simple ten word shift:

I must choose to be present in all I do.

I eliminated distractions (shut down internet when I worked etc).  I made family/friend-time only that (phone off/on vibrate for emergencies).I forced myself to finish projects before moving on (no matter how tempting “taking a break & returning to it later” still was).I consciously decided to multitask when life offered a perfect opportunity (tweeting/texting while I waited at bus stop or stood in the grocery line etc.).

I found MONOtasking increased my productivity, sparked my creativity, and manifested itself in a far less manic me.

Now you:

Are you with me in MONOtasking & ready to commit to tackling one task at a time?

Stop, put down your snack, close facebook,  twitter & pinterest and hit us all up in the comments below….

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