Multitasking.
I have begun to wonder about this whole concept as of late. Society has surely become enamored with this idea. My husband is GREAT at it.
To multitask is to, very simply, do two or more jobs at the same times. Yes, simultaneously.
But the question I have been pondering is this – Is it really good for us? What does it do to our brains when we multitask?
Believe me I get it. We pride ourselves on being able to do multiple jobs at the same time – answer phones, while doing work on the computer, writing, cooking dinner, taking care of the kids, folding laundry, etc. But are we really getting things done? Are we truly giving quality time to the task at hand or to the people in front of us?
I went away on vacation with these thoughts swirling in my head.
Vacation – an entire week to do nothing. OK, so my kids say I do that anyway š But I actually had a stretch of time, laid out for me by which I did not need to do anything that I did not want to. And so, I was all there…. We played games the six of us. We debated whether or not our answers were valid to fit the category. We laughed at the ridiculousness of our answers. We played cards till midnight. The four of us sitting around a table, facing one another, every night. We laughed till our sides hurt. We snacked till our stomachs hurt. We did not need to be anywhere else but THERE. All there. No multitasking for a week.
And that is when it hit me. Multitasking is not a good thing. It splinters us so that each task gets a piece of us but never gets all of us. It divides our minds. And it is addictive.
It is addictive because it gives a sense of importance or of ability. We think we are capable of doing MORE. More than most people. More than is expected of us. And it is a lie. Totally false. Our minds begin to lose their ability to focus on one thing or one person. The more that we are attempting to focus on at the same time, the more stress we also feel. We lose our ability to rest.
Scripture puts it this way:
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
There it is – our minds in one place, on One Person, Him –> peace. Perfect peace.
Today I am linking with Titus 2sdays and Teach Me Tuesday and True Story and Unite and Titus 2 Tuesday and Wisdom Wed. and A Little R&R and Doing You Well and Wed. Prayer Girls .
I love this! I’m constantly convicted of this, but when the demands of the day add on I sink right back in my old ways. Thanks for the reminder this morning:)
That is so true! The demands can pull us right back in. May we be on our guard. So glad you commented!
I totally get what you’re saying about multi-tasking. There are times when I feel precisely like you said “splintered”, but never knew until now what I was sensing. At those moments, I am so rushed to do the dozen or so jobs that I can’t give all of myself to one project, which leaves me frazzled and wired. Yet at the same time, I’m energized by the experience. Perhaps, that’s where the addiction factor comes in. We want to feel that rush and look back to see all that was completed with a big smile of accomplishment. Maybe, the old saying “stop to smell the roses” applies with our housework, too.
Thanks for sharing. Hopping from Rich Faith Rising “Unite Link-up party”!
I am trying to get organized
What hit me as I read your comment is that I can start so many projects & then not finish them all quite the way I had hoped. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Joanne
I agree with you 100%. This world applauds endless productivity, but it is such a lie! As long as we do whatever we do with the grace of our Pappa, we are quite pleasing in His sight.
Blessings XX
Mia
Thank you for sharing at “Tell Me a Story.” I am NOT a multi-tasker. Usually not even good at one task. š Well not very good anyway. Your vacation with all the games and card playing sounds like a wonderful time to remember.
Hazel –
You may not be a multi-tasker but I sure you do many things well. You host a beautiful link-up. That I know for sure!
Blessings,
Joanne
Your vacation sounds wonderful! I am in agreement – multi-tasking is over-rated. My home, family and life function much better when I work with focus at the task at hand. But, there are times, oh my, when I feel as though I’m spinning plates and juggling oranges all at the same time!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts – they are like a breath of fresh air in this crazy busy world.
I think you are right about this. Multitasking is all about doing several things at less than your best. You just stress trying to keep your brain going so many different directions. We need to spend more quality time with things. Life has to slow down!
In reading your comment, I realized that I now need to pray for God to give the wisdom in how to slow down. Thank you so much for stopping by!
God did NOT make me a multi-tasking! Always thought I was “broken”! Lol Thanks for freeing me up from the idea that we have to do much to feel important! Rejoicing in the simplicity of His goodness! ~ UNITED ~ Jen
Jen –
Perhaps “broken” is best š Love your comment “the simplicity of His goodness”! Thank you for sharing today!
I so agree….someone came up with multitasking and we all felt like we had to jump on the band wagon…it is SO stressful…and I find myself with more half done things than a little. I love the conclusion…He will keep us in perfect peace (and only Him) Thanks for the post.
Living F.A.B.ulously on Purpose
I am so glad that you visited. May we find that we get things completely done as we keep our focus on Him.
This is such a great reminder Joanne! I couldn’t agree with you. I can multitask if the assignment calls for it, but my M.O. has ALWAYS been, one.assignment.at.a.time! I won’t even commit to anything else until I’ve completed the task at hand! Yes, sometimes it’s GREAT to sit back and do nothing, but ENJOY life! Thanks so much for the reminder and thanks for linking up this week! Have a wonderful weekend!