Few of us would be without a good surge protector to lessen the chance of burning out our computers, printers, and related equipment.
However, most of us - including yours truly - do not take the same precautions about what surges of activity are doing to our embedded computers, i.e. our brains. How often do you find yourself typing an e-mail, talking on the phone, and monitoring a video stream at the same time?
We have come to refer to this as multitasking. For many of us, it has become the norm. Gone are the days where just the busiest of managers and homemakers (male and female) do it on a regular basis.
I have another question, "What is my multitasking doing to the connections I am attempting to make with people?"
I have not gotten to the point where I continue to do several things when someone calls and needs to talk, not just ask for information. The only reason that I have not is that those closest to me often call me on this and help me to put the other stuff down for a minute. In their challenge, I find a sobriety of activity that carries over to other conversations.
I am reminded of a term that describes "less-than-good" electrical connections: "shorting out".
Are we "shorting-out" the relationships that we have by not making sure that the connections we have are intentional and focused? If so, the brain will not be the only part of us that gets fried.
I am taking steps to do fewer tasks at once, one step at a time. Join me.
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