The Art of Multi-Tasking

Most people have many roles in their lives, and each role incorporates commitments and responsibilities that require time and focus. I was reminded about this in this post by a blogging friend of mine who is in the middle of trying to write and edit a novel, find an agent, and manage a blog all while holding a full-time job that requires a long commute. She feels like she has has to sacrifice her social life to keep all these balls in the air. Her post got me thinking about this era of the multi-tasker, where we are expected to give100% of ourselves to everything we do; a task which is Herculean at best and utterly impossible in the end.

Now, I recognize my situation is currently a little different, because I don't have the full-time job, unless you look at finding work as a full-time job. So, between the hours of 7:30 and 3:30 my time is my own to do with as I will. This is unusual for me, as I usually have at least a part-time teaching job--where I always ended up with a full-time course load--plus outside children's classes, directing projects, writing projects and assorted committees. In other words, I am the queen of multi-tasking because I so rarely have one job/focus/project to work on at a time.

So, this "time off" is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because is allowing me to reassess my priorities and my goals, and reinvent myself. A curse, because, in some ways, I function better as a multi-tasker.

Don't get me wrong, I know that it is impossible to do multiple things at once and do everything well. But, the busier I am, the more I am able to accomplish in a day. Why? How? I hear splutters of disagreement.

In a way it is simple. I achieve more

1. because I have to
2. because I control my schedule better to accomplish everything that needs to be done. I become more organized.

I'm not saying that I can accomplish everything all at once. That is, as I said earlier, utterly impossible. Something has to be sacrificed for everything to run smoothly. The question is, what? Often the thing that gets sacrificed first is social: maybe time we spend with our family and friends, or time we spend alone just being (which is invaluable). I'd like to suggest that this is the wrong thing to sacrifice. We need our connections with others to help us stay grounded and open to new experiences.

So what then? What should we sacrifice to make it all work? I've only recently realized what I need to let go of to find the balance I need and that is . . .

Yes, folks. Doing everything perfectly is not a luxury we can take in this Age of Multi-tasking. We have to let some things slide in order to focus on other, more important things. So what if the bed isn't made or the dishes aren't washed immediately? (Unless, of course, there are bugs ans gross smells). Who cares if you occasionally walk out of the hose in comfortable clothes with your dirty hair pulled up when you are running a quick errand? It doesn't matter if the cake you baked for your daughter's birthday party fails to look like a Martha Stewart original. All that matters is that you made the cake.

Ultimately, I believe the secret of multi-tasking comes down to this:

• Prioritizing: What needs to get done first? What has to be done at 110%? What get by even if it is less than perfect?
• Organizing: What do you need to accomplish by a specific date/time? How can you divide your day to achieve everything that needs to get done, while still giving yourself a much need break? (Remember, taking a break can reinvigorate and refocus you to face the tasks at hand.) What tools do you need to accomplish your tasks in the easiest, most successful manner?
• Letting Go: Let go of the need to be perfect in every aspect of your life. Sometimes being done simply has to be good enough. Finding balance in your life must take priority over perfection.

What are your thoughts on multi-tasking and finding balance?