Years ago I attended a time management class. The presenter had us list all the things we wanted to accomplish in a day, then add up the time needed.
My list included exercise, time with friends and family, work projects, cleaning the house, meditation, etc. Like everyone else in class my totaled hours greatly exceeded the 24-hours a day that I’d been given.
Whoa, nelly.
No wonder many of us end up feeling overwhelmed. And that’s just the day-to-day stuff. Add a special event or a family crises and coping gets harder. Meltdowns happen. Health suffers. Our well-being gets chipped away.
Unfortunately the things that you might jettison out of your sinking ship are the very things you need to stay balanced and nurtured. The things that give you the energy and the joy to continue offering your gifts through your business.
Divine multitasking to the rescue.
Multitasking can create more stress. When you find yourself brushing your teeth, eating a sandwich, and talking on the phone at the same time you know you’ve crossed a line. (Not that I’ve ever done this. J)
Okay, so my example’s extreme. But even the “normal’ everyday piling of several tasks into one moment draws you out of the present, into more intensity and often, anxiety.
But multitasking can also be your friend if you consciously partner activities that enhance your life.
Four simple rules.
- Pair two or more items that you feel good about doing.
- Items should add, not detract from each other. For example, a walk with a good friend means exercise and friend time. Or how about a lunch with a potential referral source or meditation in nature.
- Prioritize mindfulness. I can be more mindful on a walk by myself rather than one where I’m talking with a friend. But in the example I used I would choose to be mindful of my friend and our conversation with the awareness that I might miss something in my environment. And I’m okay with that.
- Always stay aware. The “walk with friend” pairing might be perfect one day. But when you need quiet this pairing might not be in your best interest.
How can you pair things in a way that nurtures you and your business?