Whether it is texting while driving, doing unrelated paperwork while in a zoom call, or reading an article while listening to our partner tell us about their day, we have endless opportunities to divide our attention.
Despite our deepening understanding of why multitasking is harmful to us, we all find ourselves drawn to it.
Because knowing that a behavior is harmful is rarely enough to create change. We have to know the behavior is harmful AND see a path to an alternative behavior.
We need the confidence to change.
I believe confidence starts with grace. One of my personal goals is to focus my attention, which means multi — tasking less. Before I can achieve that goal, I have to give myself grace and acknowledge why my attraction to multitasking makes sense.
Here’s what those grace filled thought patterns look like.
Of course I want to multitask. As a member of a society that constantly demands attention from all angles, as someone with access to information and an overwhelming sense of responsibility to that access, and as someone who has seen technology advance at a rapid pace; multitasking is my default. As modern people, we are all plagued by FOMO and we multitask to make sure we don’t miss out on things we need or love.
Of course I want to multitask. As an entrepreneur, there are times when I feel that I must have eyes on many things at once. When I fight that feeling and do one thing at a time, my results are better. But I don’t remember that in the moment. When I am building something new, everything I put on my plate feels urgent. As entrepreneurs, everything comes with the threat or fear of failure, so we multitask to help assuage that fear.
Of course I want to multitask. As someone living with complex post — traumatic stress disorder, my mind always wants to keep it moving. Switching my attention from one thing to another can help me avoid addressing some larger emotions as they come up. As trauma survivors, we are constantly assessing the risk level of our choices and multitasking makes us feel like our options are open and we are therefore free and safe.
It is crucial that I start with these validating thought patterns before attempting any behavior change. I cannot get to where I am going unless I acknowledge and accept where I am. Multitasking will always feel like this magic solution to my problems.
But, when I successfully focus my attention on one thing at a time, I know that I feel more fulfilled and see higher quality results from my work. So, I will continue to gracefully pursue my goal of focused attention.
Do you like multitasking? If you are looking to multitask less, how are you showing yourself grace?
Anna Westbrook
AnnaWestbrook.com
IsabelandtheRunawayTrain.org