Multitasking can be defined as doing many things at once. A multitasker is a person who lives his or her life that way. ALL THE TIME. Every task has to be combined with another task. These people have eight tabs open on their Internet browser while chopping onions, paying bills, and online chatting all the while thinking about how they are going to spend Christmas that year.
There really is no other way to live.
Multitaskers have rapid moving thoughts that dash through their mind during most hours of the day. Sound familiar? It is hard to focus (really) because of all the tasks balancing on the overflowing plate. Hmmm... some people call that a scatterbrain or even an airhead. I digress. If it doesn't sound familiar, here are some examples.
Multitasker Thinking
- When I am at the gym, magically, great writing inspiration enters my head as I wipe the sweat off the elliptical machine. I almost feel the urge to jump off and find a computer somewhere.
- When I am taking four hours to try and figure out some code to add a cool widget to my blog, I am thinking about getting my ass to the gym.
- When I am hanging out with my girlfriends, I secretly wish I was on some romantic date on the top of a mountain somewhere.
- When I am on a date, I wish my girlfriends were with me so we could crack jokes about the exhausting factors of a first date. So, I just text them in between the appetizer and main course.
- If I find a time to write an article that is way past due, I sit down and think of the most random, seemingly-important-at-the time Google search that sucks me into the endless world we call the World Wide Web.
- While I am searching for this really-not-that-urgent piece of information, I think about how great it would be to travel, so I begin to look for vacation homes to buy in the very distant future. Wait, what was I supposed to be working on?
- When I am on vacation... well, you get the point....
So, how do you tame that non-stop multitasker thinking? Balance. Allow yourself to enjoy an activity while you are actually participating in that activity. And then place a variety of these tasks strategically in your life. Trust me. You will be more productive. One thing at a time. I know, it is challenging to do. Baby steps.
Finding Balance
Take the time to exercise. This is essential. I can not stress this enough. A friend once told me when referring to the gym, "the hardest part is just getting me through the door." Some people need more motivation than others, but just do it. Stop whatever you think is so critical, and schedule gym time (or go for a hike, walk, bike ride, etc). While you are there, make the most of your workout.
Work when it is time to work. When it is time to sit down and be productive, be productive. If you are in front of the computer, it is not the time to start doing online research about what city you want to retire in twenty years. If you need distraction free writing, consider downloading software like WriteRoom which is a full-screen writing application.
Carve a social life into your world. This is important to step back and just enjoy yourself without worrying about the other distractions or stressors in your life. When you are out with your friends, have a good time and do not worry about deadlines, or other people you wish you could be with, or any other non-fun thought. Also, if you are on a date, put your energy into that person. Even if the date is less than amazing, just have a good time and call if quits when you are ready to head home.
Be social. In person. Okay, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Messenger, text messages, and iPhones all have their place, and I am not saying to throw all that away. However, if the majority of your social interaction is via electronic means, you need to get out of your comfort zone and go meet some loved ones for dinner or coffee. Put down the computer, the smart phone, and the eReader and talk to people - face to face! Yes, this is a challenge for many multitasker-gadget-lovers.
Schedule activities. Whether it is fun time, work time, errand time, or any of the other million of little tasks in your life, schedule them. Buy a planner. Stick to that schedule. Only get sidetracked in the case of emergencies. At least until you are disciplined enough to get the whole "productive day" thing down. If you schedule things, you can actually get many things done in one swoop (wait, isn't that multitasking?). You can stop off at the dry-cleaner on the way to the gym if you see it written down!
Take a vacation. This is not something I personally need to be told to do. But, some people get so caught up in work, they do not plan for vacations. Or they spend the measly 14 days they get for vacation and spend it on doing more WORK at home or around the house. Take a break! It is the whole balance thing. Even if it is just a weekend away, take that time. No excuses.
Take some down time. Oh, boy. This is a hard one. Remember-baby steps. This step may have to come later on in the more advance stages of the balance seeking lifestyle. Down time means no computer, phones, people, or errand-running. This means curling up with a good book (okay a Kindle is acceptable), going for a walk, writing in a journal, meditating, watching the sunset, etc. RELAXING! Huh? Relaxing meaning doing NOTHING, except one simple enjoyable activity.
Allow adjustments. There will be times in your life that not everything mentioned above will be equally distributed. That is understandable. Some months, work is extra demanding or your dating life is stagnant. There will be years where vacation is just not in the budget. I get it. But, to enjoy life, balance IS important and should be attempted. If you do not believe me, check out my favorite life balance coach's blog!
Say it out loud: BALANCE.
