Let's face it, multi-tasking has got a bad rap in our society, and not wrongly so. As people scurry of trying to do too many things at one time - productivity comes in doses of frenzied nerves. That's not cool.
But perhaps there's more to it than meets the eye. Multi-tasking while working on a book, for example, is a terrible idea. You need to be there completely - immersed in creating. Checking Facebook, or mails at that time will get in the way of actually thinking and writing your book.
But what about when you are not doing such a creative, all-immersing activity? For example, watching the news/show - do you need 100% focus on it? Or could you, during that time, be folding up the clothes or cutting up vegetables for dinner to make life more spacious?
Let's take another example; if you use public transport, then catch up on reading, or getting in touch with someone you have been meaning to call, or even jotting down points for your book. You have to be perceptive of what needs to get done trough creative maneuvering. It's like doing yoga - you stretch and fold and muscles you didn't even know existed get activated. You create space in you body and mind.
Another example?
While waiting in line - it's hard to talk on the phone or jot down points. What you can do is - use your phone to message instead or create your to-do list or set up a meeting with a friend or read the news or think of the book you are writing, just think - you never know when an idea will come out and grab you.
We have conveniences that our ancestors didn't. Internet, the phone, information at the tip of our fingertips.
And you might be wondering where 'relaxing' fits into this. Well - relaxing is a productive activity! It's productive because it's used for recharging the self. So, if while standing in that line - you need to take time-out, then zone out and relax - breath, stretch, smile, think absolutely nothing (whatever works for you).
Multi-tasking is a time-creating method when you are doing activities that don't need all your focus (unlike what the image suggests). The brain juice is available for your flexible use. There's a time to single-task, and a time to divide attention up with a pleasurable activity and a chore.
The reason for writing this is because we don't have unlimited time. As much as we want to believe we will get it all done, one task at a time - 24 hours is all we've got; with some long hours and some short ones. Time is elastic.
But perhaps there's more to it than meets the eye. Multi-tasking while working on a book, for example, is a terrible idea. You need to be there completely - immersed in creating. Checking Facebook, or mails at that time will get in the way of actually thinking and writing your book.
But what about when you are not doing such a creative, all-immersing activity? For example, watching the news/show - do you need 100% focus on it? Or could you, during that time, be folding up the clothes or cutting up vegetables for dinner to make life more spacious?
Let's take another example; if you use public transport, then catch up on reading, or getting in touch with someone you have been meaning to call, or even jotting down points for your book. You have to be perceptive of what needs to get done trough creative maneuvering. It's like doing yoga - you stretch and fold and muscles you didn't even know existed get activated. You create space in you body and mind.
Another example?
While waiting in line - it's hard to talk on the phone or jot down points. What you can do is - use your phone to message instead or create your to-do list or set up a meeting with a friend or read the news or think of the book you are writing, just think - you never know when an idea will come out and grab you.
We have conveniences that our ancestors didn't. Internet, the phone, information at the tip of our fingertips.
And you might be wondering where 'relaxing' fits into this. Well - relaxing is a productive activity! It's productive because it's used for recharging the self. So, if while standing in that line - you need to take time-out, then zone out and relax - breath, stretch, smile, think absolutely nothing (whatever works for you).
Multi-tasking is a time-creating method when you are doing activities that don't need all your focus (unlike what the image suggests). The brain juice is available for your flexible use. There's a time to single-task, and a time to divide attention up with a pleasurable activity and a chore.
The reason for writing this is because we don't have unlimited time. As much as we want to believe we will get it all done, one task at a time - 24 hours is all we've got; with some long hours and some short ones. Time is elastic.
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