The power of MONOtasking.

by

I dont wanna distract my brain during this...

I dont wanna distract my brain during this…

We’ve established Im a misfit.

If theres a normal order to something—chances are I’ll do it backwards.  My life just unravels unfolds that way.

As a result, I was the Queen of Multitasking *before* we made our duo a trio.

I was renown (not in a good way) for my ability to simultaneously talk on the phone, email, plan a client’s workout, do my own workout, & edit an article.

Instead of motherhood turning me into a multi-tasker (the normal, necessary course of things) the Tornado taught me the power of MONOtasking.

When she played—with anything from stickers to silly putty—she focused exclusively on the task at hand.

She wouldnt color while concurrently watching television, eating a snack & debating which toys to bring in the bath.

She was–and is–a MONOtasker.   Whether five minutes or fifty she focuses her attention on one thing at a time until she’s finished.

now when I meditate I ONLY meditate.

now when I meditate I ONLY meditate.

I lied to me.

I told myself MONOtasking was GREAT for a child but didnt make sense for adults.

My to-do list was pages long.  It was imperative I tackle multiple tasks at once in order to get everything done.

Or was it?

When I took a long look at my multitasking I realized this:

I was exhausted.  I rushed through my days bouncing from task to task.  I ended my days with nothing fully accomplished and feeling like a failure.

I was a Jane of all tasks and master of none.

  • I realized the only tasks I completed were those which didnt require much brainpower (not how I wanted to spend my day).
  • I realized I could keep multitasking & the end result would be Id never do anything exceedingly well (from motherhood to mizfit).
  • I realized multitasking for me was a form of distraction. It was a socially encouraged way to not be present.
  • I realized multitasking was not how I wanted to live.
hows that hectic life working for ya?

hows that hectic life working for ya?

I was overwhelmed by how to change my ways till I realized it was a simple ten word shift:

I must choose to be present in all I do.

  • I eliminated distractions (shut down internet when I worked etc). 
  • I made family/friend-time only that (phone off/on vibrate for emergencies).
  • I forced myself to finish projects before moving on (no matter how tempting “taking a break & returning to it later” still was).
  • I consciously decided to multitask when life offered a perfect opportunity (tweeting/texting while I waited at bus stop or stood in the grocery line etc.).

 

I found MONOtasking increased my productivity, sparked my creativity, and manifested itself in a far less manic me.

 

Now you:

  • Are you with me in MONOtasking & ready to commit to tackling one task at a time?

 

Stop, put down your snack, close facebook,  twitter & pinterest and hit us all up in the comments below….

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Comments

  1. My main one is that I read while I do everything else. I read in the bath, while watching TV, while listening to my kids talk about their day (very bad) and while eating (also very bad). Something I need to work on.

    My husband can’t multi-task at all, and once when I was getting over the flu and feeling very foggy I couldn’t focus on two or more things at once. If I was looking at the TV or computer I couldn’t hear/understand what was said to me. He said that’s what his life is like all the time! No wonder he doesn’t always respond if I talk to him while he’s doing something else.

  2. And studies show that we really are not capable of true multi-tasking…we just compromise the tasks at hand. So you are onto something good here. I need to take a page from your book!

    • I read so many of those studies this weekend too. Id had no idea it wasnt just a SENSE of “jane of all trades master of ZERO” but a true physical inability!

  3. I needed to be reminded of this. I am a huge multi-tasker too, but it always makes me feel burnt out and exhausted, rather than productive. I’m working on slowing down and focusing on the present as well.

  4. This is a constant battle for me. Do you listen to Krista Tippet’s show, On Being? This weekend she was talking to a Catholic priest who works with gang members — very interesting. He really caught my attention with his mantra: Now. Here. This.
    which relates 100% to this post! Paying attention to the people you are with and the task at hand ….

  5. I am always running.
    Outside or from to do to to do item.
    It is NOT working for me 🙂

    • It wasnt for me either–yet it wasnt until I stopped I could really clearly finally see that.

  6. Interesting points.
    I have two littles and notice the same stuff and have thought about how we grownups can’t NOT multi-task.
    I might try 🙂
    MIght.

  7. I truly believe in the mono-tasking for important stuff. It really takes less time in the long run, less room for error too.

    • GREAT WORDING. It made me think of how I will say to the Tornado FOCUS!! when she’s distracted by a shiny object during homework etc. It all goes more smooothly and error-free

  8. I do have a bad habit of multitasking. Itz important to focus on monotasking because usually the task gets done much faster and to a better degree! Smart lady, Carla!

  9. Yes to all of this multitasking sounds great but I find I’m always rushing and nothing really ends up complete. Kids I think have this one right on!

  10. Wow! I have always thought being a multi-tasker was a good thing. Now I see it otherwise. Thank you. I’m going to try to mono-task!

  11. I can definitely monotask. I’m really good at doing one thing at a time. What I am trying to work on though is the amount of time I devote myself to certain things I want to push further. If anything, it is time that is holding me back more often than not in getting ALL the things I want to get done…done. Perhaps I’m not monotasking long enough. Actually, I think that’s exactly what it is.

    • It could simply be a lack of time! I found I freed up some by not doing 93849348 at once–but still wish I had more time in the day 🙂
      especially during the 6 hours a day the child is at school.

  12. The only time I really purposefully multitask is if we are watching TV – I can’t just sit and do nothing!! I’m either on the treadmill or I have some sort of project to work on at the same time.
    I try not to multitask when I’m talking to my boys – every once in awhile I have to (sweep the floor, fold clothes….)

  13. I do both, sometimes neither that well. 😉

    When I’m trying to get things done, I like to multitask, but when I have family time, that is completely monotasking. I used to try to cram too much into my time, but I realized that I’m not doing anyone any good when I do that.

  15. how is it you always echo my every thought. Thank you for confirming that yes, multitasking is most of the time, a distraction. MONO task each day… and do it well!

  17. Oh WOW Miz.
    Such a fantastic point about the socially acceptable way not to be present.

  18. It depends on the task. In some areas I do well to toss the balls into the air and scamper around until they’re all settled, but for important things like writing, planning or anything involving interaction with others, I focus. (Or what passes for focusing in my ADD world.)

  19. that really really really was the “kicker” (do people even say that anymore? :)) for me.
    I realized it was SO VALUED in our culture to be super busy and juggling and NOT PRESENT while we are kinda still harping on the BE PRESENT!!
    except when multitasking.
    which was all the time.

    crazy.
    and, for me, it meant time for a change.

  22. I too have read articles about our inability to truly multi-task. That changed me. One thing at a time…focused…gets everything done much quicker and better!

    Thanks for the post. Great to know there are others of us!

  23. It’s definitely a good plan to pay full attention to what we are doing in the moment!

    I’ve been very lucky to be able to juggle several balls at once and still be able to focus on each one when it is in my hand
    🙂

    Perhaps I learned it from necessity.

  24. I have admitted for years that I am TERRIBLE at multi tasking! Just can’t do it well – cue blog, Twitter, FB, Instagram – My head explodes trying to do it all at once! 😉

    I do the Twitter & Instagram & stuff when like you , I am in line or waiting for something but otherwise, I prefer the mono.

  25. I’m a HUGE multitasker – isn’t that what mother’s do? << that's the image that so pervasive right? After my weekend unplugged, the idea that multitasking is a form of distraction rings so so so true. I realized how my technology ADD really keeps me from getting things done, being present and doing thing well. THANK YOU for this (as always).

  28. It is so difficult isn’t it? Having three small children I find this difficult, I am always being interrupted, then add having a blog and trying to maintain that, oh yes and training for Boston, modern life is not natural. I need to move to the country.

  29. Working with 54 preschoolers with special needs is in itself super-hectic and sometimes you have to multi-task in the classroom when you would rather focus on the one child you have seated across from you but another one has decided to climb up the bookcase in the library area. You HAVE to pay attention to more than one thing at one time-or someone will get hurt and the school will have a lawsuit on it’s hands. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my job with a passion.
    This is why (1) I don’t have a “smart” (ie. dumb) phone. (2) Leave my work at work (3) Don’t watch TV. (4) Run at 4:30 a.m. so I don’t even have to worry about traffic. (4) prefer to not engage in trivial communication with those in my office when I am getting paperwork done. (5) Swim so I hear nothing but the water rushing by my ears.
    Some of us wish our lives were a bit less hectic but have to pay mortgages, student loans and the like. Some of us didn’t have the choices you have to not work outside the home. You are living the dream.

  30. I need to become a monotasker! I am def gulty of multitasking! But I find when I do slow down and focus on one thing at a time it it much better and less stressful!

  31. I think we become addicted to the hectic. I know I can’t even remember how I lived back in the days when phones were attached to the wall and had cords.

    • Oh I like what FabKate said. I think it’s true in so many ways..and I MYSELF have had to DECIDE what I want to believe. We decide, for the most part, a majority of how we feel, interact with, and engage in life. One of my tapes is ‘I’m too tired to ( … )’. It’s a way to bring about pity for me and to disengaged–I ADMITT! So, yes we are hectic, but I think a lot of that is people choosing to NOT decide what is and isn’t important and not setting boundaries.

      Good food for thought!

  33. You’ve nailed my recent difficulties; multitasking is a form of distraction for me. One of the reasons that I’ve backed off Twitter and am spending less time keeping up with “certain FB groups”…

    Now to master the turning off all notifications when I’m trying to write. Nothing like the false urgency of an email/DM/Tweet!

    Your child is brilliant (but we knew that already)!

  34. I recognize that at times I still multi-task, but I am very monotask when it comes to certain things…like focusing on David or serious writing…I think I tend to multi when I’m just playing around like reading blogs and watching tv.

    such a good lesson for all of us in a world that moves so fast.

  35. Oh that first photo, Miz.
    I would not want to distract from that either.
    I tend to be distracted all day and try to get focused when the boys come home.

  37. I mostly monotask, particularly with work. I *cannot* be distracted when I work because mistakes are costly. I do have to make lists when I am not working in order to remind myself what I have to do because I can get easily distracted when I am not working. I think I focus so hard while working that I don’t have much focus left afterwards LOL!

  39. I find myself multi-tasking a lot. Especially with my iPhone! I’m constantly not ‘enjoying the moment’ and busy tweeting, instagraming, etc. I will be making an effort to mono-task.

    Thanks for the reminder MizFit!

  40. It’s funny that you posted this today … The homily at our church yesterday was all about being fully present with those that we care about. How we expect others to be present with us but how we fail often times to be truly present ourselves. Always a great reminder!

  41. I’ve always been envious of multi-taskers since I really suck at it and honestly don’t get a hell of a lot done during a day.

    So I guess it’s good to hear that the tradeoffs in efficiency may not be worth the hectic feeling, even if doing more things at once might mean getting more accomplished.

    Good for you Miz for adapting and changing to a more satisfying way of living!

  42. I have a job where my office is all glass windows and open doors, which means constant interruptions from members and employees while I’m trying to focus on reports, marketing plans, or payroll. I have to stop and tell myself that the social part of my job is just as important, but sometimes I want to lock myself in a closet to get my work done. I call it multi-tasking, but I realize that my work product would be better or at least be finished faster, if I could mono-task.

  43. In my job, I HAVE to multi-task and I tend to carry that mentality over to my home life.
    This is definitely something to work on.

  44. I’ve always been more of a monotasker – which is why I probably never cottoned (haha, how’s THAT for an old word?) to Twitter…too much going on over there! Even on my busiest days, I like making a list of everything I need to get done and then methodically doing them – oh, and crossing them off the list…I get mad satisfaction from that!

    • COTTONED. I adore you & this is my MONOtasking commitment to using that word at least once today.

  45. Since I also do freelance work at home, along with taking care of my boys full time, I have had to figure out how to balance everything and, for me, monotasking is key. When I work, I turn off FB, twitter, etc. I also work when the kids are sleeping. I do sometimes have to do some work when they are around but that is minimal.

    Monotasking makes for a less stressed household, IMO!

  46. Monotasking is the new multitasking! If you focus on one thing at a time you are more likely to be more successful at the task at hand and not feel as stressed out with the amount of stuff cluttering your brain and your space!

  47. I really need to learn to monotask. Lately, I feel like I’m all over the place. You’ll be my mono role model Carla!!! And I’m taking a page from your life’s book. Have a wonderful Monday.

  48. This post was very intriguing because nowadays, I feel like being able to multi-task is rewarding… the more things you can do at the same time, the better. Not until I read your post. You have introduced me to MONOtasking which will become more rewarding than ever. Multi tasking makes me flustered and overwhelmed.

  49. The best of multitasking is letting the washing machine wash the clothes, or another appliance do its thing, while i concentrate on something else.

    The something else usually happens to take all of my concentration. It works.

    When i do need to multitask, i do it, too. It’s a situational thing.

  50. I’m always multitasking and I totally agree, it’s exhausting. I might have to look into this concept of only doing one thing at a time, it seems so forieght

  52. I have absolutely found that when I multi-task, e.g. eating and working, both are less meaningfully completed; I feel less satisfied with both. Thanks for the reminder.

  53. I totally believe that some things can be done while multi-tasking, but I do find myself doing ridiculous things at the same time. Playing a game while watching a TV show I am genuinely interested, stupid. I need to put the dang phone away and pay attention. Thank you for writing this.

  56. Isn’t it funny how much we can learn from children? Where do we go wrong as adults? I really try to monotask. I think we are all sort of taught that we should multitask, but it really sort of back fires. It sounds feasible – get more done at one time, but somehow you never seem to complete one task fully or up to potential.

  57. I try to multitask, I’ll get overwhelemed, and I’ll have to take a deep breath, STOP, and tackle things ONE AT A TIME until they get done. Otherwise, I will have 30000 halfway done things instead of a more reasonable 6 things done and 29000 undone :).

  58. I try to be a monotasker. It’s so much more efficient and let’s me accomplish things. My husband is a big list writer, and I got into the habit of writing to-do lists because of him. I love crossing things off the list, which means I have to finish an item before it can be crossed off. It’s a great way to keep me monotasking… 🙂

  60. Oh wow, lady. You are so incredibly thoughtful and intelligent. I love you put things into perspective. I’m a multi tasker through and through, but I am often distracted and don’t do 100%. Mono tasking is a great! Almost like a man, right?

  63. Great points made here Carla! The combination of
    all my years in the military where I felt I had to multi-task
    in order to get things done and a touch of ADHD presents
    a daily challenge for me to practice monotasking. It is especially
    important for me as a business owner to do this as critical issues
    could get overlooked or not handled the way they should have been
    because I didn’t take the proper time and attention necessary. The
    same goes for family and friends!

  66. I used to brag that I was a multitasking mom, but learned like you that I was hurting myself and my kids. Still have a long way to go, but I’m working on MONOtasking (love that word!)

  67. Great post. I am often guilty of multi-tasking, and I agree with you that it’s not necessarily a great habit. I will consciously try and monotask more frequently. Thanks for the reminder.
    Gaye

  68. I’d consider myself more of a multitask-er, mostly because I usually start something, then another, then another, then finish the first thing. =/

  69. I was just looking at my husband and he was eating dinner, texting, playing a game on his iPad, and watching a TV show. I asked him, “could you be doing ANY more things?”
    I think all the technology and how easy everything is today, makes it easy to multitask and just do a bunch of things at once. And we don’t really think twice about it.
    It’s nice to get to sit and just do ONE thing, for sure. I feel much happier when I have one thing going on at a time.
    Enjoy the little things, for sure! And take in the beauty and little moments all around us!

  70. Yes, indeed, you are truly correct about this. I do still multi-task for menial things, but I noticed that my husband was right on this a while back. He doesn’t and can’t multi-task and yet he is the most successful, thoughtful, and whole person that I know.
    It makes sense. We are meant to find meaning in our life tasks. We are human. Not just trying to get through it all.

  72. I find I really need to focus in order to get myself to monotask, it is very easy to slip back into muli-tasking. When I think about it, I see I’m always running when I’m multi-tasking. Time to slow down.

  73. I am the queen of multi-tasking….not sure if that is a good thing. I guess being a stay-at-home Mom will do that to a person.

    I will switch to mono-tasking when I am working on something important, though.

  74. I could never imagine mono-tasking, I am just too busy. However, like you I tend to be a good all rounder and master of none. I will give it a go and see how I get on.

    Thanks, Claire.

  75. I think that I’d probably get more done if I were to do this! As I read through this I noticed that many of the things mentioned applied to me.

    First thing when I get back from vacation.. slow down and try to do one thing at a time!

  76. The only thing I really “multitask” at is listening to TV. I knit, or play games while the tube is on and often end up ignoring the thing I want to “watch”… I just like the company of the voice.

    Though I find the time I’m working out or walking the dogs a great time to mull over things so I can act when I return home, I don’t consider that multi-tasking.

    Cannot for the life of me hold one serious thought and another conversation, so maybe I don’t multitask much at all.

  77. Woah this blog is wonderful i like reading your posts. Stay up the great work! You recognize, lots of persons are searching round for this info, you can aid them greatly.

  78. This is exactly what I needed to see. I’ve been wanting a slower paced lifestyle. Much like the one I had before moving to the big city. All I really need to do is slow down myself. Stop and focus on one thing at a time. Thank you!

  79. I’m fascinated by your description of the Tornado’s behavior, Miz. I was not like that as a child. I can remember playing with my dolls under the lilac bush, while watching the mockingbirds building a nest, and listening to, and occasionally watching, the cows across the back fence. I could paint while talking to my mother about things other than art. Then I learned to read, and I could dive into a book and not hear anything around me. But even with books, I could easily eat and read and pay attention to both. Still can.
    I believe myself to be a natural multitasker. When multitasking became popular I said to myself “Finally they get it!” But what I hear here is words like “hectic”, “overwhelming”, “frantic” and so on. That’s not what it feels like to me. Doing more than one thing at a time seems peaceful; it’s being restricted to one and only one task that makes me frantic to get it over with.

  80. Born MONO-Tasker here! My mother had my hearing checked over and over again because I would not hear her if I was colouring or doing some other task even if she was right on top of me. It causes me a problem because if two people are talking to me at one time even if the message is simple I can only get one of the messages. If you work in an office you know it is common to be on the phone and have somebody in the office voice a quick message to you. I will never get that message.

  81. wait, you mean i can’t leave this comment while FB chatting in the next tab?! 😛 i had to laugh about that last line of this post b/c i totally WAS multitasking and have been all day…all week…all life?
    i’m sure as a kiddo i could monotask but i’ve always been a bit too type-a for it. meditation is SO hard for me – i practice but have yet to achieve true monotask status while meditating. or doing much of anything!
    this post has def made me think though. i often have to make myself put the phone down! ugh. gotta learn to unplug more.

  82. I am so guilty of multi tasking but as I age I am trying to focus on slowing down, enjoying what is happening right now. I find myself hurrying my girls through every little task from teeth brushing to getting their boots on for school (encouraging the multitasking)and then wondering why all the days fly by? I’m afraid if I don’t stop this hurry, hurry, rush, rush lifestyle they will be grown and gone and I won’t remember the good things!

  83. I multitask – I eat while I watch TV or breakfast at the computer. I sometimes check my phone while in the bath (until I dropped my iPhone in there a week ago).

    But…. I worry more about those with kids who seem to tweet and Facebook at all hours of the day. THere’s nothing worse than seeing people with their faces in their phones or tablets when they’re with others and not giving them their attention.

    (Of course, that’s one reason I like hanging out with other bloggers… we’re all used to it, so all sit there taking pics of our food and instagramming it!)

    Deb

  84. Multi tasking is something I do all the time, while doing fifteen other things :). My nephews are a lot like Jelly Bean. They like to concentrate on one task at a time. So in return they cant figure out why my attention isn’t alway on winning a game on the Wii.

  85. I have to admit this is something I have a big problem with. My attention span is de minimus – and I use multitasking as an excuse to switch to something else when getting board with something I am working on. Ultimately, I usually do not come back to the original thing I was working on, or come back at the last moment when it is absolutely necessary to get it done. A really, really bad habit I need to learn to break imminently.

  86. I love how you relate this to your daughter having a single focus while she is playing. When I think back to being a child, I realize that is SO TRUE! Whether coloring, or playing in the dirt, that activity was so much fun and the only thing that mattered to me–I was completely present in the moment! When I think about how my mind’s attention is divided now when I’m trying to do two or three things at once, I have to ask myself why I’m trying to do all of it in the first place. If I’m really honest with myself, I believe that it’s because I’m not having any fun. The things I’m doing in those moments (like writing a report for work) are not fun at all, so I’ll have music going, or Facebook open, or constantly checking my email as a distractor–looking for something more fun to do. I’m going to use this lesson as a challenge to learn how I can incorporate more play and fun into my life. I need to find my inner child again. Thank you! 🙂

  87. I definitely agree that mono-tasking is actually much more productive than multitasking. When you focus all of your attention and energy on what you’re doing in that moment, its easier to complete it in a good amount of time AND do a quality job. Multitasking often leaves me feeling unsatisfied with what I produced.

  88. I recently watched a science program that more less showed that multi-tasking is something of a myth.

    In it they took someone who thought he was good at it and placed them in a motor vehicle to drive. At the same time he was given other things to attend to as well as drive.

    Over time his ability to perform got progressively less effective until at the end the driver conceded that he was not as good or effective at multi-tasking as he thought

    Another similar and perhaps related topic is starting and stopping a task. It has been estimated that there is up to a 25% ‘re-learn’ factor associated with stopping a task and then subsequently returning to carry on. If the task is broken up into multiple sessions then the time cost is quite significant.

    Focusing on one task at a time is,in the majority of cases the most productive.

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