Multitasking...
Multitasking...
Multitasking exists at the subconscious level. All our autonomic functions, heartbeat, breathing, digestions and others all happen simultaneously and are regulated by our autonomic nervous system.
Our sensory systems, touch, taste, smell, sound and sight are constantly receiveing data. Even when we are consciously focused on one the others are still processing the data in different parts of the brain.
What we think of as multitasking at the conscious level is just rapid switching of focus from task to task. You might be doing multiple things but there is a focus lag as you switch back and forth, ultimately slowing down your performance and producing more errors. This has each task wind up being of a lower quality when done.
In previous posts I have discussed being in the flow. The flow state is that place of no more commands. Your mind is quiet and allows your body to act. You might say your body is on automatic. So like the autonomic system, your body can multitask and play tennis incredibly well. This is happening without conscious interference.
If you can allow this to happen your body can multitask playing tennis. Rather if you consciously try to shift your focus rapidly between tasks you can still play, just not as well.
In life, if someone is speaking to you and you are either nodding in agreement or shaking your head in disagreement or thinking about what you want to say before they are done. These are all ways of not being present.
When you are doing these things you are no longer listening to the other person, rather you are in your head thinking about what you are going to say or judging what they are saying and whether you agree or disagree.
Just be present and let the other person complete what they are saying. Once they are done you can quickly create an appropriate response which is based on hearing everything they had to say.
Look we already average around 60,000 thoughts per day. That's a thought almost every second. I think we all could use a little quiet time, a few times per day. Some form of mindfulness will help.
Challenge yourself to create some more space between the thoughts. Consider that in that space of quietness between thoughts, something else might arise. I say in those silent moments what arises is your imagination. From your imagination comes whole ideas at once, this is unlike the linear process of thoughts.
They call it “peace of mind” but maybe it should be called “peace from mind”.
~ Naval Ravikant ~