Focus

Multi-tasking? Does anyone really do it well?

During the course of any day, most of us have a lengthy list of "things to do." Besides the normal every day cleaning, laundry, shopping, and one errand after another, what is it that you pile on top? Of course, your "job." And within that, there are multiple projects.

Do we obsess with each item on our lists, (yes, some of us have more than one list) giving each task 100% effort? I doubt it, unless you're horribly anal. Or do we speed through the day, hit and miss, procrastinate, and move on to the next item on our "list," getting just enough done to make us feel better about moving on.

Oh, and let's not even talk about those nasty "pop-ups." Problems, surprises, unexpected calls that all of a sudden get added to the list. Things like, the washer breaks, your car won't start, or your thought your family was coming next week but next week is already here.

Stress levels rise, our moods dip, our health suffers. Life ... just ... isn't ... fun ... anymore.

I guess my question is, what is it that you want to do most?

Some folks thrive on having lots to do. In fact, they get more done if faced with deadlines and rush jobs. Their three children have to be at five places at once, and they smile about it. They find humor in having a hair appointment, doctor appointment, and Junior's little league game all in one day. Their energy levels always seem above the norm and they generally succeed at their goals.

But as we grow older, and the children are raised, our bodies and minds begin to focus more, I believe. We tend to hone in on doing only that which makes us ... happy. And if at all possible, we trade our stress levels, for success levels. Our long lists for shorter ones. Our crazy get-it-all-done-in-one-day lives for a day trip to the beach.

Hopefully, most of us can find levels of happiness as we grow older. I think about the older women and men I see working at McDonald's or as greeters at Wal-Mart. It's one thing if they're working those jobs because they want to meet people, get out of the house, and have fun. But if they work there because they have no choice; they need the extra money to pay medical bills, these folks don't have lists. They're just focusing on getting from one day to the next.

So we count our blessings. Lists aren't so bad.

But it's still nice to be blessed enough to focus on what we really want to do. Not what we have to do. Isn't it?

Blessings to you and yours.