Multitasking. And why it's the devil. And why I'm choosing to savor the moment.

I have always been an incredible multitasker. It's something I prided myself on. In job interviews, I always named it as one of my best assets - I had the ability to be planning a lesson, grading papers, and responding to parent emails all in one fell swoop. When I work out, the elliptical is my machine of choice because I can work while I'm on it. As a work at home momma, this has also served me well. I can nurse a baby, make lunch for a toddler, be tuning in to a work conference call, and thinking about the sixteen tasks next on my list to accomplish. I'm a list maker. I like lists. But I digress. 

And all of this multitasking served me really well, until baby number two came along. Because at that point, all the multitasking just started to make me feel like no one's getting 100% - time, energy, love - they're getting 70%, maybe, if it's a good day. They're getting someone who's distracted. And no one wins.

The problem with multitasking is that you're always thinking one or two or ten steps ahead. It is INCREDIBLY hard to stay in the moment. So when I should have been 100% focused on a conversation with my son or 100% focused on having a special moment with my baby, I was instead quickly checking my phone to see if there were any business items I needed to attend to. Or texting a friend really quickly about her weekend plans. Or making my grocery list. Or throwing in a load of laundry. Or whatever it might be that took my attention away. 

And what I've come to realize as of late is that multitasking is exhausting. And it's not all that fun right now. 

As a list maker, a Type A lady, an achiever.  I want to feel accomplished, but what I'm learning is my old methods might actually be making me more unproductive. Studies show you're more likely to make mistakes, feel stressed, hurt your relationships, and overeat with frequent multitasking. 

Ummm, ain't no one got time for that negativity. So, I'm changing the game. Flipping the switch. Trying something new. And I snagged this beauty as a reminder. 

Yesterday, I was in my eldest's room trying to get him to take a nap. He was being restless and silly, and I was itching to get things done before the baby woke up. I almost, almost said to him, "Hurry up and go to sleep so I can do some work, bud." But, I saw my bracelet, and I reminded myself to shut up and savor the moment. Instead, I sat down with him. I looked in his little boy eyes. I asked him what his favorite part of our morning had been. We sang a song from our music class. We cuddled. It took way longer than I wanted it to. 

And it was glorious. It was probably my favorite 15 minutes of the day. 

Friends, there is nothing at all wrong with slowing the f down and doing one thing at a time. If you're like me, you're going to need to say that to yourself about twenty times a day, and that's okay. This is a giant departure from the norm. Give up the guilt of not getting enough done (hell, maybe we'll be more productive!). Block your time. Decide what's non-negotiable. And take a breath while you savor the moment. It's really freaking freeing.