With neuroscientists understanding our brain much better these days and a multitude of studies conducted on the subject, you must have read by now that our mind cannot multitask.
All it can do is one task at a time. If you have ever tried to comprehend and respond to a long e-mail while paying attention at a conference call, you know what I mean. I sure did try, and it did not work very well.
Inc.com, MIT neuroscientist Earl Miller says that our brains “are not wired to multitask well… when people think they’re multitasking, they’re just switching from one task to another very rapidly. And every time they do, there’s a cognitive cost.”
If you want proof, try to do an exercise described in the article under this link.
THE OUTCOME? Tasks take us LONGER to do; results are LESS ACCURATE; we put MORE EFFORT and are MORE STRESSED.
So what’s the alternative then? BE PRESENT.
And below you will find out about 3 main reasons why working on being present is your way to success.
Strong Relationships
Think about last time you interacted with a person who gave you their undivided attention. Who listened to you all the way, did not interrupt and asked some meaningful questions? How did they make you feel? I know, right! And that’s the whole point!
When you are present in the moment and fully engaged in a conversation with a person you make them feel like they are the most important person to you; you make them feel valued, heard and understood.
Who does not like that?
People respond when they see you are listening attentively to what they want to say. Such attention will not only produce fewer misunderstandings with others but also inspire them to act the same. Which in turns builds stronger and healthy relationships.
Achieving More is Less Time
We all have the same amount of time on this planet – 24/7/365. This most valuable resource has been fairly given to all of us.
So what differentiates the most successful people? Contrarily to what we might think, it’s not their intelligence or connections. Most of them are as smart as you and me. Moreover, when they started, they had the same or even fewer connections or other resources. However, what they do better from us is how to use is their time.
They succeed by having clear goals, eliminating distractions, focusing their attention on what they wanted to achieve, and sticking with it even through the tough times.
As Adam Grant is saying: “Productivity isn’t about time management. It’s about attention management.”
We have so many distractions grabbing our attention every day, that our brains became addicted to them: social media, e-mails and all the pings they create on our phones. Even if as you read this you think: ”Yeah! She is right. I am going to completely change my patterns tomorrow and become a millionaire in a month”, it is not going to work.
That’s why being able to take control of your attention, and with-it time, and then direct it into what’s most important to you requires practice. It requires determination and commitment to breaking the old ways and building new better habits.
Can it be done? Of course, it can! I did it and working every day at improving even more. If you want to learn more about the system to do that, click here and let’s talk!
Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.
Alexander Graham Bell
Becoming Less Stressed
The study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, shows that multitasking makes us anxious. They performed a test which measured the heart rates of employees with and without access to office email. Those who could read their emails at any time remained “wired up” and exhibited higher heart rates than those who could not check their e-mails. On the other hand, the second group performed their tasks relatively stress-free.
I want to dare you to take this ONE-DAY CHALLENGE WITH ME.
Try out these 3 simple things just for 1 DAY and then let me know how it went 😊:
1. When you wake up, before you look at your phone and start rushing, take 3 mins to sit on the floor deep breathe and stretch lightly (no straining or going crazy!)
2. During the day, pause for 30 secs between each meeting or new “task” and take a few deep breaths (if you can – close your eyes)
3. At the end of the day, think of and write down 3 things that happened and you are grateful for.
To conclude my story: being present is a way of achieving success. It is also a way to happiness. Not only does it allow us to produce more with the time we have, but it also improves our relationships and makes us healthier by reducing stress.
Let’s then be inspired to try it by one of the greatest modern dancers in the world Martha Graham.
