Multitasking is the Opposite of Mindfulness
The ‘myth of multitasking’ is so common. It has even become part of job descriptions employers create, in order to find the right candidate for the job.
The truth is that multitasking is not efficient or desirable. In fact, it is the opposite! Let’s examine this myth in more detail, why it is so harmful, and what you can do to overcome it.
Why Multitasking Is a Myth…
Many people think that they are able to do two or more things simultaneously.
The truth is, the brain is focusing on, and switching between tasks, rapidly. This results in a lot of ‘wear and tear’ on the brain, and causes a great deal of stress.
The net result is that each task takes at least twice as long as normal, to complete, as it would if you were to just focus on one task at a time. As the brain ‘flicks back and forth’, it also has to figure out where you last left off. Therefore, two tasks that should take only 30 minutes each to complete, end up taking more than an hour.
There is no way, that most people can read their email, eat and talk on the phone at the same time. Yet millions try to do this every day. Wolfing down their food as a result, which is known as ‘mindless eating’. The emails sent may have errors in them. Their phone conversations may be disjointed, because they are not focusing on what the other person is saying to them.
Studies have shown that multitaskers tend to make more errors and remember little of the work that they have completed. They tend to rush through the task at hand, not putting in the necessary effort required for a high-quality piece of work. Those who multitask on a consistent basis, are never truly present. In turn, they are rarely satisfied with their life.
How to Break the Multitasking Habit:
The best approach is to develop a habit of ‘mindfulness’. However, some find it extremely difficult to develop this habit, as habits can take up to an average of 66 days to form, and most people want instant gratification.
One way to avoid multitasking, enabling you to work more efficiently, and get more done, is to practice the so-called Pomodoro Method.
Pomodoro, is Italian for tomato and refers to a small red timer, similar to one.
The Pomodoro Method, is designed to get you to work on a project in one continuous block of time. You set the timer for 25 minutes and do as much work as you can on one task of your choice. Take a 5-minute break, then start again. At the end of three Pomodoro’s, you get a 30-minute break.
Continue this throughout the day, in order to tackle each task on your to-do list, one at a time. You can also set a timer on your phone for 25 minutes and use the Pomodoro Method throughout your day, to start accomplishing a steady stream of tasks, which will all add up to the foundation of your success.
If you struggle with the Pomodoro Method, because you are unsure if you are getting enough done. Keep a work log of 30-minute blocks, and keep track of where you start and finish, at the end of each block of time. Once you get used to the idea, you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish through ‘single tasking’!
You will see a marked increase in productivity and quality of your output, which your boss will be elated about.
By stopping your multitasking habit, you can improve your work-life balance, and even improve your interpersonal relationships. As you will be less stressed and probably putting in less time at work, because you are working so much more efficiently.
It’s never too late to begin to develop your habit of mindfulness! 🙏😇
Start your journey now, join the Mindfulness for Greater Success Challenge
Love, Light & Blessings,🙏🌈🙏
Dawn-Marie Dalsass
CEO, Livelihood Spirit Balance
www.LivelihoodSpiritBalance.com
10 December, 2020
Biography
Dawn-Marie P. Dalsass, President of Livelihood Spirit Balance is a Stress Management Maven. She’s a Stress and Anxiety Expert for Middle Managers. She started her career in Corporate America while she was in high school and worked her way up the ranks finding herself in middle to upper management for most of her corporate career. She loved what she did but along the way she battled stress, anxiety and depression. When work and life were more than she could handle she planned her suicide in detail. Fortunately, she didn’t go through with it when she saw her 2 little boys on her way to get a knife with a plan to end it all. It was in that moment that she vowed to pull herself together and begin a new journey.
In 2015 she started her own business called Life Coach DM. After several years of working with clients, she realized that the majority of her clients were in middle management just like she was. She had helped most go from being stressed, anxious and / or depressed to being more balanced, aware and dynamic while guiding them on their own journey to achieve life goals including work life balance.
Dawn-Marie has since become a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide and teaches individuals how they too can annihilate the stress, anxiety and depression (aka S.A.D) that middle managers and working parents can face through a process called equilibration (the balancing of the mind and emotions) along with the healing benefits a deep connection to nature (both indoors and out) can bring to become fully balanced, aware and dynamic (aka B.A.D).
Through her own practice, Dawn-Marie discovered what she calls Livelihood Spirit Balance where how one lives their life is in alignment with their authentic self, their B.A.D Ass-self. With Livelihood Spirit Balance, Work Life Balance and everything else just falls into place.
Based on her years of work and client success stories, Dawn-Marie changed her business name to Livelihood Spirit Balance to align with her teachings, mission, vision and purpose.
Dawn-Marie offers online courses, personal and corporate development coaching, workshops and seminars. As the owner of Total Convalescence – Nature & Forest Therapy she also offers public and private Nature & Forest Therapy Walks.
Dawn-Marie is a:
- Certified Mindset Transformation Coach
- Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide
- Certified Law of Attraction Wealth Practitioner
- Certified Fraud Examiner and
- Certified Internal Controls Auditor
