I’ve got a problem, and I think you might too.

I multitask too much.

I think I probably spend an equal amount of time juggling more than one focus in my head versus focusing solely on one thing in the moment.

That’s kinda trippy.

And scary?? Idk. The more I think about it, the more the idea of not fully being there feels unnerving.

From writing an email during a meeting, to talking on the phone while I’m at the grocery store, my mind’s hardly ever “as one” throughout the day.

The multitasking goes beyond just to-do’s too. It’s happening during conversations, building Legos, even while watching a movie.

That “100%” you’re supposed to give is more like a 60/40 split for me in my life…

I think it’s all because being fully present for one thing and one thing only feels damn near impossible these days.

There’s just too much being thrown at us.

And too much expectation that we turn the lemons being thrown at us into lemonade.

It even feels kind of silly to not multitask.

We get more “done” in less time, even if we’re not fully present while we’re doing it.

There’s issues with that thinking.

Yet, everyone’s understaffed - at work and in our own personal lives.

We don’t have enough time to do things individually and sequentially so who can blame us for answering texts during a movie, doing two things at once at work, or thinking of what to make for dinner while we’re mid-conversation with someone!

Until AI’s gone full Jarvis from Iron Man mode, we’ll remain “understaffed” and the need to optimize our day will be the only choice we got.

So multitasking for the win, I guess.

But man, I wish that wasn’t the case.

There’s a bazillion reasons why I say that, here’s the consensus top two and then the actual biggest reason for me:

When I’m fully locked in on cooking dinner, I’m simply not stressing over my overdue assignment or that tough conversation I’ve got to have later this week.

I do better actual work for my job.

I give a better response in conversations, and I’m able to be much more creative and detailed in everything this way.

The real reason though?

It fucks with my head when I miss a detail or forget something someone told me because my mind was elsewhere.

Those details add up in the sense that I hate that I’ve begun to think of myself as the guy that’s gotta double check everything.

It’s standard practice, but there’s a little extra motivation to make sure I didn’t miss something at work or that I heard my buddy correctly during dinner.

Sometimes it feels like I’ve forgotten so many things or missed so many details over the years that a teeeeensy bit of trust in myself is eroding.

That sucks, and I blame multitasking.

:)

While balancing the needs of life, I wish I could find common areas where I can fully be present instead of this 60/40 split I got going on.

“To do two things at once is to do neither.”

-Publilius Syrus (imagine having this name)

I think it’s a habit, multitasking.

Just in the same way any other habit is, we multitask without giving it a second thought.

There’s common themes to adjusting a habit, a large one being the importance of starting small.

Another being patience while adjusting.

We’re not going to eliminate multitasking just like we probably won’t eliminate many of the other problems I’ve shared here.

But we can make a mindful attempt to do so and that effort makes a big impact.

Again though, that effort requires two things:

Starting small, and being patient.

With multitasking, I think starting small means identifying when multitasking is only hurting us. Not when the multitasking is helping us hit a deadline or do something important.

In these instances, there’s less requirement to split your attention and the stakes are lower to change.

And where does it honestly only “hurt” us?

When we’re watching TV.

There’s no reason to watch our show while we’re scrolling too. Lol, just pick one.

In this case, just Watch the Damn Show.

Practice being fully present in what’s designed to captivate your attention anyways.

No phone, no scrolling, no getting up to make food. Just watch the show.

The patience comes when that urge to do something else begins to bubble.

Be patient.

Don’t check your phone.

Wait to get more snacks.

With a habit as ingrained as multitasking, starting this small and simply experiencing a reminder of what full presence is like is a great start.

In doing so, the mindfulness is applied. Presence is there, and it becomes familiar.

Plus, you’ll remember more of the show. The details I’ve been missing myself.

For once, you won’t have to rewind during a good part.

And I’m not talking about the show.

How do you feel after watching a full episode without being on your phone?

I hope you leave this five minutes a little lighter than when you started.

-Cal

P.S.

What was that one thing you’d be happy having forever without needing to upgrade?

Mine are my clothes. I’m just not a fashion guy.

What’s yours? Let me know your thoughts!