One Thing at a Time
11 Feb 2009 ~ Categories: blog • body • mind • wellness
A life coach gave me a powerful lesson that made a positive impact on how I function in my day-to-day life. For a week, she challenged me to spend a solid hour every day practicing “not multi-tasking”. This sounds easy, but actually requires a healthy does of focus and discipline.
I chose lunchtime. For an hour, I simply ate lunch. I didn’t eat lunch and read. I didn’t eat lunch and talk on the phone. I didn’t eat lunch and work. I even tried not to daydream.
At first, I felt anxious about the lost time. There are so many things we can accomplish by eating while we do something else. Growing up, my parents were never keen on the idea of eating in front of the TV, which of course made it practically irresistible whenever I could get away with it. But now that I am older, I understand why they didn’t want me to develop that mindless habit of shoving food into my mouth while my attention lay elsewhere.
There is a ritual in enjoying food. To actually be present to the taste, the sensations of swallowing, the change in your body chemistry as you integrate the nutrition, and to notice the moment when you are no longer hungry. This, to me, is a way to develop a healthy relationship with food.
These days, I try to integrate the non-multi-tasking concept into cooking. When I cook dinner for myself, I relish the time spent alone in the kitchen. I don’t succumb to the ringing phone. I don’t play music. I enjoy the silent reverie that allows me to appreciate the rhythmic chopping, rinsing, sorting, frying, and even the cleaning. I think it makes for a more delicious and appreciated meal. And at the very least, is a peaceful respite from my cluttered urban life.
So now I challenge you. For one week, or even one evening, can you prepare yourself a lovely meal, without doing anything else? Let me know if it tastes a little different.
For once, resist the urge to multi-task. Sit back and enjoy the present moment.
Bon appetite,
Amy
18 Feb 2009
Bill D
We published a blog by J. Jordan entitled “Discover Why Multitasking Damages Your Business and How To Fix It.” It debunks the myth that you are more productive while multitasking. It explains that the extra amounts of energy you spend multitasking create an illusion of productivity. But when you look at the less than complete results generated and the excess energy and time spent to produce them through multitasking it becomes obvious that it is an illusion.
Keep resisting the urge to multitask. You will enjoy the trip more and get more done.
19 Feb 2009
Amy from IO
AMEN
I’ll check out that post…
03 Mar 2009
Miranda
This a good exercise! It DOES sound hard but I can’t wait to try it.