“NO MORE MULTI TASKING!!”, says our dear husbands, who loved this about us in the 80s.

When I was young…younger than today… we used to brag about our multi-tasking skills. While it definitely helped us work and volunteer while raising three children each and partnering with  two sailor/professional husbands, it took so much effort. Now that we are getting older, we still think we can manage!! Ha!! The challenge is not brainpower but energy!  We  look for our keys and then see something  which belongs in another room, then notice some old towels which we will need to wash the cat that day. Then, we go into the garage to get the cat shampoo, and see the dirty litter box . Ackkk!!   Getting the newspapers to put on the bottom of the litter box we see  an article which we set aside to read later. We put down everything to read the wayward article and somehow find ourselves at Starbucks drinking a grande latte.  At least the keys are  in hand!!

Back home we  recall that we need to chill wine for that evening’s party. The wine goes into the fridge but we can’t find our phone or charger which was left in the car. We realize the dry cleaning wasn’t dropped off and the library books need to be returned which are sitting on the front seat. By this time, the phone needs to be charged and it’s lunchtime!! What has been accomplished??  Not much!!

What happens is that we are easily distracted, running in circles, thinking of too much and then fail to finish the projects because the 60 year old body can’t keep up with the 40 year old brain.

What can we do about this?

First of all, add a To Do list in your smart phone Notes. We find  this is better than using post-its which seem to multiply in the dark. It is easy to add items and delete them. The trick is to remember to charge your phone! If you are a paper person, then write a list during breakfast and photograph it with your smart phone.

Secondly, do things in threes. It is easy to remember that you need to buy cat food, empty the recycling and mail the bills. Even at the grocery store, if you have forgotten your list, you have a photograph of the important items you wrote down at breakfast. And no one needs more than three things for dinner-wine, spinach and meat.

When you are working in your house, finish one room at a time. Put the items which belong somewhere else in a bag at the door.

When you are running errands, make a mental map (mine are usually counterclockwise!) of places you need to visit. Where are you going first? The most important place ( Crown Liquors)! Stick to it. At least you will have accomplished the first most important item on the list.

Calendar…put it on a wall or by the phone with pen attached so it is easy to access. Every morning look at your bag and transfer loose notes which might have dates and reminders to your calendar or phone. then train yourself to check the calendar and phone before going out the door. Connie even adds the day when she needs to mail those Valentine cards!

And most importantly … schedule time for yourself!! Whether it is for reading,  a power nap, exercise or a great massage,  put it on your day’s calendar.

 

You might be so efficient that folks think you are multitasking!!