The lesson of the burnt toast
If you’re anything like me, multitasking is your middle name. We seem to take great pride in doing more things at once. I can work, talk on the phone and make lunch for the kids!”
In a society that moves faster than the speed of light, it appears that we're not really moving that fast. We’re actually falling behind. Most parents work which renders us multitasking experts. After all, it’s a REQUIREMENT that we’re must be fantastic parents, friends, employees and still get to the gym, right?
Hm. Not so much.
The other morning, I thought I would be in contention for mother of the year. I decided to make my daughter homemade French toast for breakfast. But like any working mother, making just French toast was not enough for me to do. I flipped open my computer and started working on the counter just next to where I was cooking. Whenever I work I get fully immersed in what I’m doing, so that day was no exception. I was busy handling “work stuff” when I smelled the burnt toast. As I looked back at the breakfast, I realized immediately it was not salvageable.
It got me thinking, why was it so important that we do so many things at once? Why do we feel that we’re not useful unless we are busy. Why do we brag about being stressed and overwhelmed? We have become so conditioned to multitask that often times, we’re not even actually getting things done.. we just think we are.
When you’re on the phone while working, how great is your work really going to be? How can you really be actively listening to your kids while working? The way I see it, we are doing a whole lot of nothing.
So this next week, let’s all try and hit the reset button. Be present: at work, home, exercise, family, friends, and LIFE! Give 100% to one thing not 25% to four things. Life will get much sweeter for yourself and all of those around you! Hit “reply” and let me know how you plan to be more present this week. Even better, when the end of the week rolls around, let me know how your week turned out!
Elise