They say that it’s impossible to multi-task. The human brain simply cannot do it. You can only think about one thing at a time. When you think you are multi-tasking, you are really doing one thing, pausing to do another and then moving back to your original task or train of thought. You can’t do two things at once.
In my head I believe this. It makes sense. However, in a world that values “multi-tasking”, I pretend that I am an excellent multi-tasker. I’m top notch really… if they gave out trophies for such a task, I would have a shelf full… Hmm… NOT! I’m not buying it either. I would love to say that I am multi-tasker. I would love to say that I am able to the handle the load of many things all at one time. But today, I proved myself wrong. I hate it when that happens.
I came home after a super productive day at work with a to-do list in mind for my evening. I have only one “quiet” day this week and I’m trying to disperse my weekly to-do list over many days, so my quiet day doesn’t just become a giant list of projects. This meant that even though I was tired and probably should have been resting, I had things to tackle tonight. If I tackled them now, I wouldn’t have to worry about them later. Seemed smart in a way.
I don’t know about your life, but mine can get complex sometimes. I had a lot on my mind tonight. I was in deep processing mode. I decided to verbally process with my husband while I worked on my task list. Can you see where this is going? I learned the hard way that I can’t deep think and do tasks at the same time – something suffers… I made a stupid mistake while rushing through my to-do list and verbally processing. My husband informed that it’s more than okay. But I’m supposed to be super human, right? I’m supposed to handle things. I’m supposed to get things done and get them done right. Ugh. Today I failed at that and it might not be a big deal, but I think I proved the scientists right. Multi-tasking really is impossible.
You can do one thing or you can do another. You can’t do both at the same time. Lesson learned.
Amy Scott's Thoughts 