Multi tasking & the Law of Diminishing Returns
Ever since the early 90's I came across the term multi-tasking, and understood it to mean the ability to process and get more than two tasks done simultaneously. This sounded like a super power that could make the ambitious thrive.
We've all conducted our time in this way - "You mean I can have a conversation on the phone, while reading through an email and chomping down lunch at the same time and presumably make sense of it all and act with appropriate measure.
Then I might have more time during the rest of my day to drive to the gym, exercise while watching Netflix and plan dinner and a stop off at the grocery store on my way home Or catch up with friends over drinks and tapas, while speed dating online and discussing the main points of tomorrow's meeting with my boss or colleague on Watsapp ."
It really sounds like a plan that can get ALOT done in seemingly shorter pockets of time. It sounds efficient.
Here are some of the meanings of the word efficient from the online dictionary on my phone while I’m typing away on my laptop.
ef·fi·cient
(of a person) working in a well-organized and competent way.
utilizing a particular commodity or product with the least waste of resources or effort (usually used in combination).
(of a system or machine) maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
The start of 20's and my ambitiousness had me work a full time job in an International bank, while also working my way through a full time Bachelor's & then Master's program in Business. I figured out the perfect way to purchase my dream car and pay for it while having the college experience and independent mobility, an important check for my fiercely ambitious & acquisitional character at the time.
Since I left my school days behind me and in the next 5.5 years I had a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business, 6 years of solid work experience, I was married and we were expecting our first child. I experienced being in the prime of my life akin to being on steroids.
When we view time as a finite resource, especially as we have only 24 hours in a day to get more than our share of tasks done, grouping tasks together may seem like a smart way to override the perceived lack of the number of hours available.
Has it occurred to us though that having a specific number of hours in a day, some assigned for work, others assigned for home, family, personal development, downtime, having our meals and allowing for other bodily functions, sleep, helps us create compartments, prioritize and attend to the various levels of our Being - mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Perhaps there is a wisdom in creating space between tasks, between our meetings, for our work day and for family time, for downtime and for bedtime.
Perhaps nature is reflecting this wisdom to us with every passing sunrise and sunset and the change in seasons.
Have you considered the respite that can be gained from focusing your awareness on a task at a time; it creates more competency in the quality of how we show up and remain present for the duration of the task; while bringing it to completion and pausing for feedback before taking our next action steps.
I know from my experience that when I am on a call or conducting a meeting over lunch, I'm more prone to overeating or indigestion*. Chances are I swallowed too much food too quickly without realizing it; I found myself reacting to the content of the conversation that led to diminished fulfillment from my meal.
I also know from my experience that more often than not, I’ve ended up committing to something that would not be my wise choice in an attempt to finish a conversation while driving.
Life is paradoxical.
"Do we pay more in order to save more?"
Every outer choice we make has it’s outer and inner consequence.
"The consequence for multi-tasking might paradoxically be incompetence, a lack of deep fulfillment & joy from completing a task, a conversation, a meal…an experience with absolute, loving awareness.
The price we pay for multi-tasking is not being fully present in our conscious awareness."
When we are consciously aware in a given moment, we are receiving tremendous information from the unified, infinite field of Intelligence of that which is in our Highest Good.
We can call this field the Universe or Source, our Higher Self, Intuition, Direct knowing, Soul, our angels and guides, the ascended masters.
We could be receiving information and foresight about the choices we are making and their long-term consequences, or about the person we are interacting with, we could be receiving a message of love and encouragement from Spirit, it could be a beautiful moment of heartfelt connection, compassion and acceptance with someone and for ourselves.
Our time on Earth is offering us healing in every moment when we are willing to be consciously aware and receptive.
This healing energy re-centers us in the wellspring of our Well-being, our Inner Peace, Wisdom and Loving Essence.
Without this essential daily re-centering we live our life in a state of frenzy, turmoil and stress, attempting to be robotic and transactional, necessarily keeping our guard up while missing out on our true essence and inherent nature that is love, divinity, majesty and unconditional acceptance.
Acceptance goes beyond the state of tolerance.
It is a choice that encompasses everyone and everything as they are, and transforms everyone and everything into a Higher state of unconditional potential, bringing all the perceived separateness into Loving Resonance with each other.
The opportunities life makes available to us of knowing our Essential Being are truly magnificent and Abundant.
For sessions please contact ishika@tobeblissful.com
Private & Group Sessions available for women: Spiritual Life Coaching, Mindfulness & meditation, Reiki Healing & The Conscious Living Group
*indigestion is the mother of all dis-ease - Ayurveda.
Indigestion not just of food, also of our experiences, emotions and thoughts.
