The Honest-to-God Reality About Multitasking

Did you know that multitasking is really a bunch of bullshit? I mean, it sounds like a cool word but let’s be honest, our brains just aren’t wired like that. What they are wired to do, though, is time-share.

The reality is, our brains can only actively think about one task at a time. So you focus on one task, then another takes its place—just like vacationers occupying a time-share property. The shift is so fast that you may not even notice that you’re only doing one thing at once. You feel like you’re multitasking, but what you are actually doing is time-sharing.

Pretty cool right?

Well…yes and no.

With the false hope that we are capable of multitasking, we fill our days with an endless list of tasks, tricking ourselves into believing we are achieving it all. Truth is, though, we are really just half-assing all of them—never really putting 100% effort into any. I mean how can we? In order to do something 100%, we need to be 100% focused. And in this crazy world, who the hell has time for that?

I believe that this is especially true for women. We’ve been taught to think that we need to do it all and be awesome doing it.

Beside the obvious—being a mom, bonus mom, dog mom, and wife—most days, I am also a chef, taxi driver, ATM, teacher, referee, organizer, scheduler, therapist, house cleaner, friend, confidant, and sounding board. And did I mention that I have to do that all while running my business as a life coach and kick-ass real estate agent? Oh, and let’s not forget that I have to make sure I have to look completely put together while doing it all—hair, makeup, and maintaining the body I had in my 20s.

Are you f**king kidding me?

Sometimes I barely muster up enough energy to make it through the day! And you know what? That’s okay!

So, here’s my advice to you: stop giving a f**k what society thinks you should be doing and just do you. Take time for yourself—read a book, take a bath, go for a walk, meditate, or whatever fills your cup—or you will be of no help to anyone around you. The old saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” is something that I have had to learn to follow or I will be on the edge of another nervous breakthrough! And you can, too. But it can only start when you stop time-sharing, and start giving 100%.

Cheers to another ass-kicking week and taking a break from time-sharing!