The downside of multi-tasking

“If only there were more hours in every day!” 

How many times have you said that to yourself after an exhausting day of trying to do it all? 

Let’s face it. Life is busy and crossing another “to-do” off our list feels good. Progress comes faster with multi-tasking, so we power through three jobs at once. 

In the process, however, we may be doing ourselves a disservice and sending the wrong signal to those around us. 

Am I really being productive when I answer emails during an important conference call and at the same time inhale a Lean Cuisine at my desk? 

How can I fully participate in the call when my mouth is full and my thoughts are somewhere else? Is that fair to my colleagues?

Am I really being a good friend when Katie comes over to vent and I make her compete for my attention with the latest episode of “Desperate Housewives”? Or when my son wants to talk and I “listen” as I clean the kitchen?

Have you ever been out to dinner with someone who can’t sit through the meal without completing a parallel conversation in text messages to someone else?

It doesn’t feel good, it’s disrespectful and it’s unproductive. Is that the signal you really want to send? 

Not me.

My company is asking all of its employees to take a closer look at how we interact with others both at work and at home. “Be here now” is the new catch phrase we use to encourage each other to be fully present at meetings and in conversation. 

It’s a great reminder that it’s important to acknowledge those around you with your full attention. It says that you care, you’re interested and you want to contribute.

I encourage you to audit your behavior with family, friends and coworkers. Are you “here now” for them? 

I guarantee that if you put down your cell phone, close your laptop and turn the volume down, you’ll see the dynamics change in your relationships.

Let me know how it goes!