I proved to myself today that I’m not a very good multitasker. It’s not the end of the world for me because they say men aren’t good at it anyway.

Apparently, the way the female brain is set up, women are much better at multitasking. Yet there was a time when multitasking was something everyone was trying to master.

But just like margarine was supposed to be better for you than butter, it turned out not to be true.

The same mantra has been proclaimed about multitasking. It doesn’t work; you don’t get more done, and you certainly don’t get more done faster.

I proved that today.

I was in a hurry trying to get out the door for a few errands on my day off. I just needed to brush my teeth … something I’m pretty good at since I’ve been polishing those chiclets for many years.

But when I put the toothpaste on my electric toothbrush there was just enough for that cleaning. The tube was finished so I threw it in the garbage.

With my toothbrush in one hand, putting it into my mouth, I though with my other hand I could get the next tube out of its box and ready for my next cleaning.

So I brushed with one hand, and picked up the box with my other. I was just going to leverage the box against the counter to open it and pull out the tube, but they had some kind of sealing mechanism on the box.

I couldn’t see very well because by now I was brushing my teeth and, if I looked down, the toothpaste would probably drip out of my mouth.

Turned out that the sealing mechanism was tape – very strong tape, I might add – because I was really struggling to continue my brushing and, at the same time, fight with the box.

I ended up having to let go of the toothbrush, so that it was whirling away in my mouth with only the strength of my lips providing the counter balance from the heavy handle that was dangling from my mouth.

With two hands I was literally ripping the box, tearing it limb from limb (if it had any).

Finally the tube was free and the box fell into the sink. I tossed the box in the garbage can and placed the tube in my teeth cleaning container. … Back to brushing my teeth while actually holding the brush.

When I finished up, I felt like I needed to sit down and calm down – I was all riled up after my multitasking disaster.

I’m way better off sticking to one thing at a time! … That’s why there are laws against texting and driving, putting on your makeup while driving, or doing pretty much anything while driving.

For those out there who still think multitasking is a good thing, I just have one piece of advice: Stick to one thing at a time.

Here’s the thing: Multitasking gets you moving at a frantic pace; you live hurried. Life is not a race but a journey we are on. God would rather you take time to enjoy the moments than to hurry through them so that they are a blur. Take time throughout your day to just breathe, take in  your surroundings, and thank God for those moments of calm.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: How do you take breaks through your day? Leave your comments below.