Sculpting Project 9: Mono-tasking Week 1

Q: How can you be two places at once when you are not really anywhere at all?
A: Multitask
(Paraphrase with thanks to Fireside Theater.)

I write #99 for the 1000th time, 401 more numbers to go. This was not my first plan, but hand numbering the gratitude journals seemed like the best way to complete the products. My numbering tool, a colored pencil, is not very forgiving when errors require erasing so I must write from 1 to 100 14 times without making a mistake. Single minded focus in a repetitive, boring task. This required mono-tasking.

I completed the numbering with only two errors and a genuine peace of mind.

Multitasking is the effort to use our mind to do two or more tasks simultaneously. When it comes to walking and chewing gum at the same time we can be pretty successful. But when both tasks require attention our success rate is quite another matter.

Mono-tasking is the effort to keep our mind’s attention on one task at a time.

Now I am making candles. I have done this task many times so my need to give full attention is limited. I really want to learn more about research on multitasking, so I decide to try some multitasking to learn about multitasking. I am cutting and tying wick as I listen to a lecture that explains my brain’s inability to pay full attention to two things at the same time. Sure enough I find that I can not tie wick and retain the information that I want to remember. So I stop working with wick and give my attention to the short lecture. Multitasking requires our brains to continually switch the focus of attention. I notice that for me this constant switching requires energy and creates stress.

When I have a lot to do I am tempted to multitask, but this choice is actually counterproductive. The more I have to do the more I need to mono-task.

Sculpting Project 9: Mono-tasking

Each day this week select one task/period of time to mono-task.
Give your full attention to that task, remembering that you are continually accompanied by the Holy Spirit.
So far as it is possible remove everything that would require your brain to shift attention, even music in the background.
Let us know what you choose to mono-task and any discoveries you make.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. Then secondly, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30-31

Using our strength to sculpt our heart, soul, and mind to love God and our neighbor.