Multitasking: How much is too much?

'Multitasking Queen,' painting by Beverly Naidus. Photo via beverlynaidus.net

I'm a multitasker to the core. While I brush my teeth in the morning, I pack up my bag for the day (run around the apartment grabbing things that I need to bring with me and throwing them on the bed).  I blow-dry my hair while in a deep forward fold so that I can get some yoga in while on-the-go. On average, I have about 7 Firefox windows open when working at the computer, so that while I wait for something to load, I can write and send a quick email. I'm even writing this blog post on my iPhone while on the metro so that I can save some time when I get home! Productive or overboard? Hard to say...

Although being able to multitask is normally a "great" quality, spoken about during interviews and included on many a resume, just like anything else, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Moderation is key. And that, my friends, is what my multitasking is lacking these days. But, I blame it on technology--it's no longer enough to do one thing at a time, because technology has enabled us to listen to music, email, talk on the phone, and get where we need to be all at the same time. We can do work while walking to get lunch, can catch up on our favorite blogs while at the dentist, can watch TV while running on the treadmill. I look around the metro car now, and almost everyone around me is engrossed in some type of technology (except for the heavy-breather who has fallen asleep and is taking over two whole seats with his slumped body...)--this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but oh the times, they are a changin :) Wouldn't you agree?

So what to do about this? It's only going to get worse with the next generation. Who knows, maybe they'll be the most productive generation EVER because they will all be able to do so many things at once, but take it from a pro-- its not always a healthy way to live, and when you multitask your life away, you can lose some of the joy of living in the moment.

My commitment? To work on doing one thing at a time--when I can. So when brushing my teeth from now on, I'm  going to try to just stand at the sink and be present, as hard as it may be. And when working, I'll try to start an email, finish it, and move onto the next one--without ever opening a new window or jumping around to check all my sites.

My challenge to you? Just start being aware of your multitasking. Is it a good, productive kind, or is it a modern-technology-infused state of craziness? Try to pick one activity a day and JUST do that activity, without doing something else. I'll share my experience (I know it will be hard!), and let me know how it goes for you!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

P.S. If you like the painting at the top of the blog post, check out this website. I found Naidus' work when I googled "multitasking" images...love it!