Admit it, when you read the title of this blog post, you envisioned a negative connotation, yes? I know that I did.... when I consider a person who is single minded (and this is speaking to a learned habit, a truth that once was a part of who I was, but no longer needs to be) I tend to think of a person who is very stubborn, stuck in their ways, unwilling to see others points of views...... but in actuality, being single minded is the much healthier, and more productive opposite of multitasking. So, it is a good thing, and a very necessary part of living a mindful life.
I was reminded of my need to work on making single-mindedness an ingrained habit of mine, thanks to my lovely friend, Jennifer Alexander of http://www.facebook.com/jenniferelizabethalexander and her recent Facebook post, and I will be taking her up on her challenge, will you join me?
"Who's up for a single-minded challenge? All in favour say yes.
We live in a time and a culture that would have us believe the only way to get anything done is to multitask.
But the reality is that multitasking takes away from the quality of your relationships and your work. And multitasking fuels your stress and anxiety.
Starting tomorrow, I challenge you to set the timer for 15 minutes and do only 1 thing. Do this for the next week and then, build on it.
Notice when you feel pulled to do something else and come back to your task or your conversation at hand and re-focus.
So this means when you are preparing dinner, you are only preparing dinner, not listening to the radio, not preparing with the tv on.
You are simply preparing dinner.
When you are up to get yourself a glass of water, you do only that, not put something away en route.
Multitasking is a habit. And it is a habit that truly stresses us out.
Start with 15 minutes daily.
And please be gentle with yourself.
If this feels simple for you, build on it, Make it 30 minutes every day.
And if it feels challenging, observe that challenge with self-compassion and continue the journey.
We miss out on 50% of life because we're not here -- because we are doing many things at once.
Catch yourself when you begin to multi-task.
Notice gently and come back to bring all your quality engagement to your task, to your relationship, to your conversation."
In searching out the perfect image to add to this incredible post, I happened upon this article http://www.success.com/article/single-minded - another great reminder to slow down, to do and focus on just one thing at a time. Allow the very moment you are in, right now, be THE MOST important moment of your life; anything, or anyone that you have chosen to have in your life deserves your undivided attention. You owe it to yourself to live a fulfilling life, and taking the time to truly appreciate every moment is the best way to get there.
May you find a way to share your gorgeous sunshine with everyone you encounter.
x o
Heather
I was reminded of my need to work on making single-mindedness an ingrained habit of mine, thanks to my lovely friend, Jennifer Alexander of http://www.facebook.com/jenniferelizabethalexander and her recent Facebook post, and I will be taking her up on her challenge, will you join me?
"Who's up for a single-minded challenge? All in favour say yes.
We live in a time and a culture that would have us believe the only way to get anything done is to multitask.
But the reality is that multitasking takes away from the quality of your relationships and your work. And multitasking fuels your stress and anxiety.
Starting tomorrow, I challenge you to set the timer for 15 minutes and do only 1 thing. Do this for the next week and then, build on it.
Notice when you feel pulled to do something else and come back to your task or your conversation at hand and re-focus.
So this means when you are preparing dinner, you are only preparing dinner, not listening to the radio, not preparing with the tv on.
You are simply preparing dinner.
When you are up to get yourself a glass of water, you do only that, not put something away en route.
Multitasking is a habit. And it is a habit that truly stresses us out.
Start with 15 minutes daily.
And please be gentle with yourself.
If this feels simple for you, build on it, Make it 30 minutes every day.
And if it feels challenging, observe that challenge with self-compassion and continue the journey.
We miss out on 50% of life because we're not here -- because we are doing many things at once.
Catch yourself when you begin to multi-task.
Notice gently and come back to bring all your quality engagement to your task, to your relationship, to your conversation."
In searching out the perfect image to add to this incredible post, I happened upon this article http://www.success.com/article/single-minded - another great reminder to slow down, to do and focus on just one thing at a time. Allow the very moment you are in, right now, be THE MOST important moment of your life; anything, or anyone that you have chosen to have in your life deserves your undivided attention. You owe it to yourself to live a fulfilling life, and taking the time to truly appreciate every moment is the best way to get there.
May you find a way to share your gorgeous sunshine with everyone you encounter.
x o
Heather