More Info on Multitasking

Stopwatch 2
 Photo credit: casey.marshall

Women are notorious for multitasking–doing more than one thing at a time. It's pretty much an unchallenged principle of motherhood that we multitask because we must. We simply have too many demands on our time and not enough time to accomplish them all (at least one at a time). I know I'm “guilty” of it. I seldom let myself do only one thing at a time.

The fact is, though, that studies have consistently shown that multitasking (a) isn't truly possible and (b) actually can be harmful.

A few weeks ago I blogged at Lifehack about the myth of multitasking (you can read my post by clicking here). It generated a bit of commentary, and I've watched other articles and blog posts in the weeks since continue the debate about whether multitasking is possible, and what the effects are (good and bad).

This morning I ran across another online article about multitasking, with a great infographic that breaks down the statistics about multitasking in personal life, the workplace, and schools. This article reaches the conclusion, based on these statistics, that for nearly all people, multitasking actually kills productivity, rather than enhancing it.

This article about the negative effects of multitasking, in a blog called The Salary Reporter (on the PayScale website) really is worth a look if you want to think carefully about how you manage your life and your time. I encourage you to read it, and perhaps to also read my Lifehack post on the topic.

As I'm moving into a new stage of life (my youngest is starting his freshman year of college as this post is going live), I am thinking about what comes next. What I want to accomplish with the next years, and how I'm going to fit into each day all the things that I want to do, in addition to the things I must do.

I've always used multitasking to try to make that happen, but in recent months I've found myself more and more distracted, less able to focus, more stressed and tired, and less at peace on a day-to-day basis.

Some of the answers to that dilemma might be found in the downside of multitasking. I'm trying to find ways to let go of that habit, to be more present and in the moment, doing one thing at a time, and doing it well. I think there's evidence that there's more peace to be found that way.

What do you think?

Are you a multitasker? In what ways? Do you think it boosts your productivity, or does it sometimes leave you feeling frazzled and pulled in too many different directions?

I always love hearing from you. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . . 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me

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Weight Management Tips from Someone Else

scale
scale (Photo credit: Judy **)

My friends who think about managing their weight might enjoy reading John Saddington's recent post at Tentblogger on his top ten tips for weight loss. Nice concise presentation of the basics of healthy living. I've blogged about this before (here and here), but I really liked the way he said it. His blog is aimed at helping other bloggers, so the post talks about weight loss/management in the context of blogging life, but the tips are good for anybody who needs to lose weight or, really, even just wants to be healthier.

Check it out.

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . . 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me

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Back in the Saddle: Recovering from a Distractedly Busy Season

August has been a crazy month–busy at work, lots to do at home, and dealing with the emotions of getting my youngest child off to college. So a lot of my routines have gone by the wayside, including regular workouts and writing.

Sam's off to school, though, and my husband–who had been out of town all summer for work–is finally back home. It's still a busy season at the office, but it's time to get back into my regular routine, doing the things that are important to me. That includes writing and it includes working out. Both are important for my physical and my mental health.

Responding to a blog comment today had me re-reading something I posted earlier this year about why I run. I thought I'd remind you of it as well. You can read Why I Hate Running, and Why I Do It Anyway by clicking on the title there. Or by clicking here. 🙂

What routines or activities are most important to you? How do you feel when busy seasons in life interfere with the things that you do for yourself?


Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . . 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me

What Seth Godin Says

On his blog this morning (and you should subscribe to his blog if you don't already), Seth Godin said this:

“The best way to be missed when you're gone is to stand for something when you're here.”

English: American entrepreneur, author and pub...
American entrepreneur, author
and public speaker
Seth Godin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you agree?

What do you stand for? What do you want to be remembered for when you're gone?

It's been a crazy week (hence the quiet here at I Was Just Thinking. . . ), but I'll be thinking about Seth's statement for awhile. And I'll be posting my thoughts on it soon. In the meantime, I ask you again:

What do you stand for?


Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . . 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me

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Book Review: Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore by Barbara Conelli

Read to the end to learn how you can sign up for some
fun freebies from Barbara and a chance to win a free electronic copy of
Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore.

As a wannabe world traveler, I love reading books that give an insider's look at other countries. Recently I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore,  Barbara Conelli's introduction to the beautiful Italian city of Milan. In an almost ethereal, poetic style, Conelli shares secrets of Milan, including hidden sights that you should not miss, legends and tales that have influenced the city's atmosphere, and foods you must try (including recipes!). Conelli's love of Milan comes through in every sentence as she offers “tales about unexpected encounters with the capricious, unpredictable and extravagant city of Milan, its glamorous feminine secrets, the everyday magic of its dreamy streets, the passionate romance of its elegant hideaways, and the sweet Italian art of delightfully falling in love with your life wherever you go.”
This book is an easy and fun read, giving an intimate look at the city in a way that feels like you're sitting across the table of a bistro with Conelli as she dishes about her home. As of this writing, the Kindle version of Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore is available on Amazon for $2.99; it's also available in paperback. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

Barbara Conelli is an internationally published bestselling author, a seasoned travel writer specializing in Italy, and a Chiquenist on a mission to bring Fantastic Fearless Feminine Fun into women's lives. In her charming, delightful, and humorous Chique Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy from the comfort of their homes with elegance, grace, and style, encouraging them to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world
For free book excerpts and weekly Italian gifts, visit Barbara’s website. Sign up to follow her blog and you won’t miss any scrumptious travel stops!

If you'd like a chance to win a free PDF copy of Chique Secrets, leave a comment below with your email address and your answer to this question: If you could visit any city in the world for a week, what city would it be, and why? One lucky winner will be drawn by August 15. Be sure to check back often, or subscribe to I Was Just Thinking . . . (see subscription box at the blog's upper right corner) so you receive notification of the winner and of other giveaways to come.

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . . 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me