Multi-Tasking,Taking,You,Away, DIY Is Multi-Tasking Taking You Away from Enjoying Your Life?

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in When starting a new work at home business it is very easy to become consumed by it. We spend so much time trying to get the business up and running that we may end up becoming burned out and lose our motivation. There is so much to learn and

800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}I happened to be juggling a number ofdifferent tasks last week.  I’m sure thatis no different for many of you.  One ofthe things I realized I had fallen into the habit of doing was trying to useevery available minute I had to fill with some action I termed “productive”, soI could get action moving on as many items as possible.  Often this would ultimately lead me to beingstressed over how I was going to complete or perform the key task of themoment, since my attention had now wandered from it.  My attention was now diverted to other taskswhich had completion dates at a later time.     One of the terms, which has become part of our vocabulary over the lastseveral years, is multi-tasking.  I don’tknow exactly who originated it. Certainly as our world became more technology based, it certainlyallowed for the growth of the concept. However, multi-tasking is certainly the nemesis of such concepts asprioritization, focusing on your goals and persevering on what you are lookingto accomplish until it is properly completed.       Anyway,I was getting ready for a presentation that I was scheduled to do one morninglast week.  I had prepared my materialsthe day before.  Additionally, I hadreviewed my presentation the night before and had given it a quick review inthe morning.  I had a few minutes beforeI had to leave for where the presentation was to be delivered when I had theurge to just sign onto my computer, check into my e-mail, and see what may bethere.  Then all of a sudden I said tomyself, “WAIT!  What are you doing?  You’re relaxed, prepared and lookingforward to doing this talk.  Why are youeven considering getting focused on something else when you have to leave in afew minutes to do this talk to which you are looking forward?”    Fortunately, I caught myself in time. I then realized the last couple of days, I had also been most productivewhen I concentrated on tasks one at a time, gotten them completed, and then movedonto the next task that I had chosen to do during this day.  Basically, I am a very good planner.  I usually use a few minutes on the weekend toscope out the week ahead.  I’ll determinefor the week what items are coming up which have times that I cannot move,(usually appointments or calls at already scheduled times).  Then I’ll determine next the tasks I chooseto get accomplished that week, and look to slot them accordingly.  When there are multiple tasks to beaccomplished, but they’re in similar locations, (such as errands to run), I’lllook to perform them in a sequence that makes the best use of my time.  I also look to make a promise to myself as tohave a starting and stopping time for my activities, so as to give myself achance to have time to decompress and not be so focused on getting taskscompleted.    When I gave my self a few moments to think things through I realizedthat prioritization, focus andperseverance were when I was most productive, serene and gaining a sense ofaccomplishment.  Multi-tasking basicallyprovided me stress, a sense of always rushing around, being in a hurry and abasically uncomfortable feeling that took away from me enjoying my life.  Why would I want to keep doing that tomyself?      Have Ilearned my lesson?  I’m not sure, becauseI am a human being and often the traits we try not to exhibit are not alwaysthe easiest ones of which to let go.  DidI reinforce awareness within myself?  I’m certain that I did since the feeling of serenity I had both before,during and even after my presentation is one that I realize I have a choice ofcontinually experiencing as long as I choose how I approach the task athand.  If you’re feeling particularlystressed about what is going on in your life, take a step back and look how youapproach your day and the tasks at hand. Where may you be your own worst enemy by trying to accomplish multipleitems at the same time?  Yes, they mayall be important to you and perhaps more than one needs attention in aday.  However, you really can only do oneat a time.  One is usually more importantthan another at any particular moment. Once that concept takes place in you, you can begin to enjoy life theway it is meant to be enjoyed, moment to moment, activity to activity andexperience to experience.