28. Multitasking is Key to Mediocrity

28. Multitasking is Key to Mediocrity

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I learned something the other day that literally made my jaw hit the floor.

Now that I know it, I can’t stop thinking about it…

Sex Fact:
Did you know that anywhere from 10%-33% of people have used their phone WHILE HAVING SEX!! Not before sex or after sex…DURING sex. As I dug into the research a little deeper, I learned that these people admitted to responding to texts and emails! So let’s be very clear on this….this isn’t like an emergency phone call that came through in the middle of love making. This was an intentional act to open up their phone and not only read their messages but respond to them while the person they made love with was literally next to them!!

People…what are we doing? Is this really what we are meant to be doing with this one precious life? When did we become so disconnected and detached from each other that 3 out of 10 people openly admit to regularly multitasking love making?

We have all taken pride in our multitasking haven’t we? I am sure you’ve all heard someone (maybe even yourself) boast about how they were able to prep dinner, help their kids with homework and listen to the evening news all at the same time? Or maybe you’ve heard the old saying “women are better multitaskers”.

If you are one that takes pride in your multitasking abilities, I need to warn you that the rest of this email might be uncomfortable to hear. But then again, it might be exactly what you need.

Multitasking is KEY to mediocrity.
And if your goal is to lead a mediocre life, then by all means, continue multitasking. But I’m not here each week to help you become mediocre. I want every single one of us to become our best self and to live with purpose and joy. So that means we all need to take an honest look at how we live.

Some of you might be rolling your eyes and thinking you’re better than the average person at multitasking. I’m sorry to say…but that’s your ego talking. If you kindly set her aside for a moment you will realize she’s been fooling you all this time. 

I challenge you to take one day and notice how often you multitask.
Do not judge yourself, this is simply a practice of awareness. I have been practicing this awareness myself and I thought I’d share my day:

  • Listened to podcast while prepping dinner
  • Worked on computer while eating breakfast
  • Talked on phone while driving (on my car phone, not cell phone!)
  • Talked on phone, then listened to podcast while folding laundry
  • Read my book while eating lunch
  • Responded to text message while spending time with my son

I almost put on my headphones to listen to music on my walk yesterday, but I stopped myself and realized what I was about to do – multitask. So instead I left everything behind and went for a walk alone. And what I noticed around me was nothing short of amazing. I saw nature at it’s finest and I know I would have missed that had I been lost in my headphones. I felt a stronger connection to everything and everyone around me that made me feel part of something bigger. 

What now?
I am not saying I never multitask. I’m not even going to pretend to have that as my goal. But I am learning to be more intentional with when I choose to multitask. Maybe we don’t always need multiple inputs bombarding us all at once (even if it’s things we enjoy). Maybe we can choose to do just one thing and try to be fully present while doing it. And maybe in time, we will start to feel more connected to others and ourselves.  Maybe we all start to feel a greater sense of belonging.

I love humanity too much to watch us lose ourselves in endless distractions. What about you?