Is multitasking good or bad?.........

Most women are very good at multitasking. They have juggled the home chores, kids school activities, and sometimes burning the candle at both ends. I have always considered myself quite good at doing several things at one time. I tend to always be multitasking. My husband never multitasks. He completes one project and moves to the next. We have had countless discussions on which is better. He is an engineer. Does that help explain a little? I used to read email, while talking on the phone. Now, this was not a phone call that was note taking worthy, but still someone was trying to have a conversation with me and I might be straightening out my desk draw. It never occurred to me as multitasking. I would consider it as “I cannot just idle” issue, which might be a problem itself. Since I have been taking these psychology courses, I have had to look inside my own brain and ask why I cannot just do one thing at a time. I began blaming on being a working mom and having to juggle so much at one time. This was true, but my kids are grown now and out of the house, and I still want to do more than one thing at a time! Why do I care? Why should we care? Is multitasking good or bad? Well, I have found some evidence that I want to share with you.

Multitasking seems like an excellent way to get things done; however, research has shown that our brains are not as good at handling multiple things at a time. In fact, some research has shown that it can hamper our productivity by reducing our attention and overall performance. According to some research, multitaskers are more easily distracted and can have a difficult time focusing on anything! In fact, they tend to work slower and less efficiently. This is where it had me. Have any of you just plain out said “focus” just focus? I know I have. My husband has always had the argument that if you do one thing at a time, it is done better and faster. Yep, he said it in those simple words. Now, I am not saying that I would be on my email or FB while in a meeting, but I still find myself not being able to do one thing at a time. I am most definitely going to practice. It is hard. I am easily distracted. Sometimes I forget what I was originally working on because I started doing something else. Why does this matter to me now? Well, I want to sharpen my focus skills, so I started here. I want to be a better gardener, so I need to tend to the garden even when I see leaves in the pool.😜 In the past, I would go get the net, and start getting leaves out of the pool, and before long, I was out of time to do the garden project. Or, let’s say, I am cooking dinner and I noticed that I could not find the white wine vinegar, so I start re-arranging the shelf and overcooked the garlic. I want to practice on doing one thing at a time, better and quicker. Here is another main reason; I want my relationships to be better. I want to focus more intently on my conversations. I want to be a better listener and absorb what is being said. I do not want to be on the phone checking my stocks while dad is talking to me in the doctor’s office. I want to be fully engaged in the conversations around me.

Are there times when multitasking is forgivable? Well, I investigated that as well. According to verywell mind magazine, reading while waiting for an appointment is multitasking and is “smart”. Listening to audio books while on your walk or run is okay. Some say, to generate new and innovative ideas, your brain needs to be in the diffuse thinking state instead of the focused thinking state. This made sense to me. Have you ever just been vacuuming and come up with a good idea? I get some of my best ideas when on the treadmill. This is probably the one time where I just think, if I am not listening to a podcast. Well, I must admit that sometimes while listening to a podcast I will get off on thinking of my to do list😂😂. Just focus.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj485yS5ojzAhX4nGoFHZZOC24QFnoECAIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verywellmind.com%2Fmultitasking-2795003&usg=AOvVaw0oK2G8IvRQc7upiDDmstMT

In summary, I want to slow down and smell the roses. I want to enjoy my conversations, enjoy planting the bulbs, or cooking the meal. I want to make more moments the best they can be because they have my full attention. I want to stop and hug and enjoy the company❤🌻

I have a new web address! My own URL. https://www.janeellenblog.com

Below I have included some links if you are interested in the pros of not multitasking.

FALL 2021 is here!

Now, for a fashion update. Have you seen the cool CPO jackets out this fall? They look incredible. You need to be on the look-out. When I was in seventh grade, I remember I just had to have a CPO jacket! Now, it is a casual trend of the season. Wear them with your boots or fun flats. This is a must for the season.