Unlearning Multi-tasking + Habit Tracker printable
Today, it is becoming the norm to always cram as many tasks as possible into every minute of our life. Cooking breakfast while packing up lunch bags while helping kids find their homework while reading a work email asking for a report that is now due before you even get in to work. You know, a typical Tuesday. And while one day you may feel like you’re rocking it and getting things done, over time things can catch up and you find yourself at the point of being overwhelmed. Multi-tasking has become associated with productivity, and as we all know it, being busy has become a status symbol. Nowadays it takes more discipline and focus to concentrate on only one task.
“Multi-tasking is the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time.”
- Gary W. Keller
I’m still learning to concentrate on only one task because after working all day at our day-jobs we have to fit a lot of responsibilities into only a few hours if we want to get some sleep. So whenever I can, I try to pick a couple of tasks that I devote to single-tasking; I allow myself to be mindful, find calmness, and clear the mental clutter.
When single-tasking, we tend to have a higher level of commitment and an increase in the level of excellence that otherwise, we may be ignoring when working on multiple tasks. Single-tasking also increases our attention span and reduces our level of distraction. I have no doubt you know how easy it is to get distracted by a phone notification, commercial, or some random thought, and suddenly “what was I doing?” creeps into your mind…
So, the next time you’re washing dishes, turn off that Podcast, close your notebook with tomorrow’s to-do list and try to notice the scent of your dish soap, feel the water warming up your hands, and pay attention to the little details; make it a ritual. I hope that by letting yourself fully commit to only one task and let yourself stop thinking about tomorrow’s grocery run will have an abundant benefit on your health and will help rebuild focus and increase overall productivity.
Below I listed a few habits that were helpful in my quest to slow down and be more mindful:
Making pour-over coffee - and taking time to watch the steaming water touch the coffee + stimulate your senses by breathing in that rich and delicious-smelling aroma
Taking a walk outside - turning off that podcast or radio and simply listening to the sounds of nature: birds chirping + squirrels jumping from one branch to another + leaves on the trees rustling in the wind
Journaling in silence - I’m still working on this one, but it is a great way for self-reflection and thought organization + even a few minutes to brain dump all your thoughts will clear your mind + silence will keep away all triggers for distracting thoughts so that you stay focused on the current task
Preparing herbal infusions - I like to prep mine in the evening for the overnight infusion and watch the herbs dance around in the water while endowing it with an abundance of nutrients
I would strongly encourage you to consider giving single-tasking a try. And, because I know very well that building a new habit is a process of continuous repetition and will take some time, I created a habit tracker printable that was very helpful to me for working on this newly re-discovered skill, and I hope it will help you too.
