Last week, I found myself sorting my son’s Legos. Again. It’s a ritual –for lack of a better word– that I go through at least once a month.
But last week’s sort was different. I realized how much in common this small activity has to do with single-tasking versus multi-tasking. Let me explain:
Faced with a tray of mixed legos, you have two ways to go about sorting. You can pick up the pieces a handful at a time, and sort them into their color boxes. Effective, but not as quick as you could be.
My preferred method is to focus on a single color at a time. I decide that I will go for blue, and my eyes zero in on only blue pieces. I decide that I will go for wheels or people, and my eyes zero in on only those pieces. All other pieces become out of focus, unimportant to me.
Do you see where I’m going with this?
Sometimes, when we’re faced with multiple things to get done, we try to do many of them at the same time, just a little at a time. We eventually accomplish the tasks, patting ourselves on the back and congratulating ourselves for “juggling it all.” But what if we didn’t juggle? What if we chose a task and saw it through to completion, before choosing a new task? Like the legos, wouldn’t my mind act like a lazer beam and therefore help me become more effective in my tasking? I think it would.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my intention to concentrate on single-tasking. A couple people commented that they didn’t think it was possible for a mom to quit multi-tasking. I respectfully agree and disagree.
I don’t believe it’s possible to stop ALL multi-tasking. Impossible because of the little humans running around –separate from you– doing things and creating havoc wherever they go. However, I do think it’s possible to cease multi-tasking your own chores and tasks. And in doing so, I think you will become quicker and more efficient.
Anybody up for the challenge? Don’t worry — it’s not official. Just think about it.
* * * * *
On Saturdays, I usually like to reflect on my mindful moments from the week. This week was a bit of a blur, gearing up for the wee one’s party, but it did have it’s moments.
- Taking my son to his incoming Kindergarten assessment. Walking through the halls of the elementary school, and realizing that he is actually big enough to go there. He even looks like he fits in!
- Teaching my kids the proper words for their private parts. And then, a few days later, hearing my daughter announce to her daddy something about her “jina”…and then seeing his face when he realized what she was talking about.
- The flowers in the backyard are just beautiful. Seeing everything bloom at once.
- Taking a walk with my husband (this evening) when he realized I needed a little downtime, away from the party planning and away from my loving-but-too chatty in-laws.
What were your favorite mindful moments from this week?
I am linking this post to Tuesdays Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky. It’s a wonderful Tuesday tradition that Emily started a month ago — one that I’m particularly enjoying.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a great post! I really love what you’re getting at here. I’ve done a task like this before (not Legos, but something similiar) and I completely know what you mean — when you’re looking for something specific, you focus on only that and block everything else out. This is very effective for gathering these pieces very quickly. So great how you took this idea and applied it to life. I love it!!
My favorite mindful moments of the week were: Walking my dog in the rain and looking up at the streetlight to see all of the droplets of rain coming down in the yellow-ish light…Seeing a beautiful bouquet of balloons being tied to a sign outside my apartment and feeling a sense of freedom when one balloon untangled itself and floated toward the sky…Singing as loud (and probably as terribly) as I could to Kate Voegele’s “Lift Me Up” as I drove to lunch after writing a post about the song…
Great post Kirwin. I had a mindful DAY yesterday. The majority of it being outside realizing that I have a beautiful yard (not trying to brag here, really) and how blessed I am to have it.
There was also a night this week that I cuddled with my daughter while watching a show with her on the Travel channel something I typically wouldn’t even watch. It too was a good moment : )
love this post! what an awesome realization!
Totally laughed out loud at number 2 (lucky no one asked what I was laughing at).
My mindfulness; Yesterday, my sister Shrimp, her partner Brendon and Chris and I threw a kayak on top of our car, grabbed some nibblies and wine and headed to the beach for the afternoon. We found a beautiful spot under a tree on the sand and spent the afternoon, kayaking, chatting and gazing out to sea. All of us commented on several occasions how lucky we were to be able to have such a beautiful place right on our doorstep.
Touching down in NYC after a week in London.
I never stop being grateful for getting to be a New Yorker.
@ PP~
I’m so glad you shared your mindful moments — I especially loved reading the one about walking your dog in the rain and seeing the droplets of rain in the yellowish light. Very cool image.
@ Denise~
I love your mindful moments. I absolutely LOVE cuddling with my little ones on the couch, while watching a TV show. There’s nothing better than when their bodies lean into you, finding connection without words. (I want to remember those moments forever.)
@ Shannon~
Thanks! How was your blogger trip?
@ Sami~
OMG, Sami, you should have seen the look on his face! I think he was impressed, amused, and horrified — all at the same time!
I love your mindful moment. It sounds like a fantastic afternoon.
@ Nicole,
Welcome home! I’ll be in NY (Brooklyn) in a week and a half, visiting some of the most awesome people on earth — my brother and his wife.
What a great reminder, I think the more I try to multi-task the less I get done and the more frustration I create. I’ve found lately that the days with less to do are the best, it certainly leaves more time for mindful moments.
@ Gina~
I love “unscheduled” days. It makes me wonder why I schedule so much in there…why do I do it to myself?!
I can totally relate to #1! I just went to K screening too. It’s scary to realize that your own little one is ready for this monumental step. Am I? It’s hard not to multi-task. I’m all about getting things done. Maybe with the summer coming I can enjoy the “unscheduled” time of my life. Thanks for the reminder! Great post!
@ Lynne~
I’m also looking forward to the summer, when we don’t have to rush off to school. As for Kindergarten…I don’t think I’m emotionally ready for it. {deep breath}
I think at times we have to multi-task/juggle, but then I find I don’t always do things as thoroughly or as well as I’d like. Having a single, clear focus can be freeing and productive–good thoughts on that.
I like the way you take some time to focus on your mindful moments from the previous days.
Great post, I needed to read this, I am so guilty of not finishing a task and getting toooooo many started at once. I think it’s sometimes called ADD. . .Thanks for the inspiration, I’ll try to think ‘legos’ when I’m tasking now!!!
@ Holly~
With kids, multi-tasking is necessary in may tasks. I just think that I (and probably others) have let multi-tasking permeate into all activities — not just the necessary ones. Thanks for stopping through!
@ Suzie~
It’s difficult to find someone not-guilty of this! You’re not alone. : )
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
OK….I could totally use some single tasking right about now!!! Thanks for the insight!!!!!!
WOW!!! This completely changed the way I view so many things! You are an anointed writer, and your words speak right to the heart and soul. I’m so blessed to have found you!
Honestly, I have never even thought to sort the legos! But I love your thoughts here, and the application. I do crave more time to focus on one thing for a while. Blessings!
@ J.J.~
Welcome and thanks for coming by. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
@ Lisa~
THANK YOU, your words are so kind. Thanks for the compliments on my writing — I really don’t know what I’m doing, half the time.
@ Terri~
LOL…sorting legos…now you know how anal-retentive I am! Actually, it makes it easier for my son to find specific pieces when he’s building things.
I must admit that the idea of NOT multi-tasking sounds a little insane, but I get the concept at least! And you’re right…if i just did what was in front of me and then moved on to the next task, I would be more efficient and probably more accurate with the task I’m working on.
I think what hit me the most in this line of thinking was the idea of not multi-tasking in terms of people. How many times am I on the phone with one person while helping my kids with homework while cooking dinner for my husband and trying to switch the laundry in between flipping the hamburgers? Can I really be giving my undivided attention to my husband and children and friend on the phone ALL at the same time? Of course not! Wouldn’t I feel “jilted” if these people did the same thing to me? Of Course I would!
So I take your challenge today, Kirwin…to single task my tasks and to single focus with the people in my life!
My “moments” this weekend: anniversary getaway with my honey…sitting by the water and listening to the waves crashing…fishing with my boys…playing hide and seek at the mall with my boys and making way too much noise having fun…remembering to photograph most of it!!!
@ Kimberly~
Yes!! That’s pretty much what I was trying to say. I mean, when you’re a mom, it’s impossible to stop multi-tasking — You have mini-creatures with Free Will around you, so you have to be ready to jump in at any moment. But some of us take multi-tasking to the extreme and multi-task everything and everyone…and that’s not healthy or beneficial to anyone. Great moments this week, and happy anniversary!
Great advice. I have so many started-but-not-finished projects that I get overwhelmed when I think about it. But what if I just focused on one until ir was completed; will the others to be “out of focus” until then. I think I would have less anxiety about all I need to do.
I LOVED this post - it’s sooooo true! I have always like how you take time to step back and reflect. My favorite part of your week - teaching your kids about their private parts - now that’s funny! You should’ve seriously recorded your husband’s face - that’s classic.
@ Bee~
I think it’s definitely true — if you focus on only one thing at a time, you’ll get much more accomplished. That said, I need to TAKE MY OWN ADVICE. ; )
@ Danica~
It was hilarious. I’m never going to forget it! LOL