We are being fed the idea that we need to be multitaskers to succeed in life, that we need to learn to do many things at the same time. But that’s not how we can become more focused, just more distracted.
I’ve been experimenting with multitasking versus single-tasking and have found the following:
Doing one thing at a time makes me feel more present and aware
Doing one thing at a time improves my focus and ability to go deeper
Doing one thing at a time slows down time, extending my day
Researchers have also found that when we focus our mind on our muscles during a weightlifting exercise we can improve performance of up to 20 percent.
This means being in the moment, focusing on the workout and nothing else. That’s why I don’t listen to music or podcasts during a workout to avoid splitting up my focus between competing things.
Of course, people multi-task because they have lots to do every day, too much if you ask me. And I understand that some jobs are designed for just good enough, to knock off as many things possible from a todo list every day.
The solution to this is to say no to things, even to things you love so that you can focus on the few better things that you really love and that, with clear intentions, are leading to inner growth and wellbeing, now and forever.
Single-tasking takes practice and I’ve found that my morning routine beginning with journaling to wake up my mind, meditation to clear my mind, and workout to energize my body, works really well.
I do one thing after the other, giving each task whatever time needed, and trying to stay present in what I’m doing and how. Rushing any task or activity too quickly to get to the next task or activity is counter productive.
You might get lots done which releases dopamine in your body, making you feel short-term productive and good, but it’s really about doing the right things, not just doing things for the sake of doing.
Few example:
When I drive in the city I don’t text or listen to music or podcasts. I want to stay focused on driving and feeling present. But when I go for road trips and drive at night, I put the car on cruise control and listen to podcasts.
When I workout I focus on each and every exercise, doing my absolute best without self-imposted distractions. I’m focused on the movement and the rhythm of every exercise.
When I write I don’t listen to music or check social media because I know that the deeper I go the better the result.
When I read I focus on reading, preferably a paper book to avoid distractions. If I’m on my iPad, I just turn off the notifications.
I don’t feel that I need to fill up every single moment during the day with noise or information. I don’t need more input and more distractions, I need less to be able to think and create in the empty spaces.
Every single minute or hour every day doesn’t need to be filled with something. There is so much value in just being and focusing on the present moment, doing what you’re doing, enjoying the process.
We also need time to transition from one thing to another, we need blocks of time in our calendar that are unscheduled so we can both move mind and body without feeling rushed or stressed out.
By focusing on the current activity I practice both focus and mindfulness, learning how to really stay present, going deeper, and creating more value. And I allow myself doing this without feeling stressed or anxious.
And by having to choose, I’m naturally flushing out the lesser important tasks or activities for the more important that will really move the needle in the long term.
A few other examples: