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In our fast-paced world, multitasking has become an admired skill. Busy-ness creates the illusion of efficiency, when really, I think it stresses us out and makes our work worse. When we split our focus, it is well, split. Less effective in every task.

I’m a guilty multi-tasker. When I sit at my desk to work I am constantly distracted by sorting out my desk drawers and rearranging my bookshelf. When I eat I want to watch TV, and when I watch TV I want to flick through a magazine. Or eat some more.  Or IMDb an actor. The more I multitask the more I am easily bored. I find it difficult to sit still, because I want to scurry on to the next thing, when really, the thing at hand is interesting enough if I just put in the time and focus to enjoy it!

This month I will reduce my multitasking.

When I eat, I will enjoy my food and taste the flavours.

When I watch TV I will watch in stillness. Watching episodes creates the illusion of productivity as I tick my way through a list of concrete tasks (very very easy tasks). If the programme isn’t interesting enough to hold my complete attention, then it isn’t worth watching, similar to ill-fitting clothes – if a jacket only fits unbuttoned or with one certain top, why own it?

If I think I recognise an actor, I can wait until the end of the episode to search, and meanwhile enjoy the suspense.

When I walk I will enjoy the air and the view. No need for music or phones.

When I get a text, I don’t have to look at it right away.

I will make time to read for long stretches rather than during short breaks.

Are you a guilty octopus of a multitasker too? Or a zen master? Confessions please!

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P.S. Is email your multitasking demon? Check out my guide to getting your inbox to zero.