I can completely relate to this blog post. I am a therapist and I've learned that people are actually more productive when they uni-task. And if the TV is on in the background, it is actually sucking energy from the tasks at hand.

I was driving through Starbucks the other day, scheduling clients, checking messages, and unfortunately couldn't get off in time when my car pulled forward to the pick-up window. A friend of mine's son works there, and he said, "I'm buying your drink today." I thanked him, with phone still in ear, and drove off. That's when it hit me: I totally MISSED the moment. I could have been mindful of the beautiful gesture from a person interacting with me. Instead I was trying to do too much at once and really achieving nothing!

Oh how true this blogpost is. I have been recuperating for the past month from a motorcycle accident. This would have been the perfect time to read the Word and spend quality time with my Lord and Savior, especially since He blessed me with a miracle in that I was not killed or seriously injured. But no, instead I've wasted it on emails and forums. I find it so difficult to be still and concentrate on one thing. I do believe I have become ADD in my old age of 49. I truly need to condition my brain for quietness. And I need to start NOW! Thank you for reminding me of my priorities. God bless.

Your blog brought to mind how hard it is to just watch one program today. I live for the moment when the commercial comes on so that I can watch something else--isn't this sad! Additionally, I realize that listening, i.e. giving someone your undivided attention, is a lost art that needs to be rediscovered, beginning with me. My sister was talking to me yesterday and I now realize that I was giving her half an ear as I waited for her to finish so that I could go back to watching a tennis match. Thanks for the reality check Camerin!

Thank you. Enough said. I need to get back to the one thing I was supposed to be doing... :)

Thank you so much for letting me know that I am not the only one that seems to have such a short attention span as an adult. I am constantly multi-tasking. I am a full-time college student and I always thinking a dozen things at one while actually doing several other things at the same time. When I am driving around running errands during the day I am also listening to class lectures in my car. While I am at the laundry mat doing laundry I am reading my texbook and doing homework assignments. In the evening when my husband gets home he just wants to relax and spend together-time with me in front of the television but I find it is hard to focus on what we are watching because I am thinking of the essay or research paper I could be writing instead of vegging out in front of the television. I can't wait for a commercial so I can balance the checkbook, take out the trash, go mail some letters, or set a pot a of water to bowl for tea. I am addicted to maximizing my every minute of free time but filling it with something else I can do.
THANK GOD that the only time my mind is perfectly still and my soul is completely at ease and my thoughts are calm is when I am at Church! That is my oasis, my quite-time, my haven, my refueg, and my tranquility in a world of chaos. He stills my mind and calms my soul like nothing and no one else can.

I can so relate to your blog post too. Especially when I sit down in the mornings and try to read my Bible..I have a daily reading plan, right now it's something like 3 Psalms in the morning and a chapter or two of the Book of Acts in the evening. But trying to get my mind to stop thinking about other things (let the dog out, don't forget to mail that birthday card, put the laundry in the washer, etc.) while I am trying to concentrate on God and His word is really hard lately. I think I am addicted to having to have several books, magazines, the internet, blogs, tv, music etc till I have forgotten how to focus and be still with just my Bible and God. Being mindful is crucial in these days that are so hectic and fast-paced. I know I can't connect with the Lord how I want to unless I quiet my mind and be with Him when I am reading the word and spending my quiet time with Him.
Thanks for the wakeup call!
Kelly

Yes staying present is key. Too often we stray from that concept. I am grateful to God to point out my error from time to time. We not only miss out on others but out on God himself, the Master of the universe! Let's not be too hard on ourselves when this happens. As women, we are socially cornered into doing too many things. Let's stop and say wait! once in awhile. Blessings to you!

You said a mouthful. There are places where multi-tasking is counter-productive or inappropriate. I retired a year ago, and one of the things I don't miss is excessive multi-tasking. I do work on more than one thing at a time when it is a productive use of time I might otherwise spend waiting for a pot to boil, or similar such things. However, when my children call, I sit down and enter into the call. I no longer need to try to answer business IMs or finish a daily report while visiting with my wonderful children.
Your description of the behavior during the fireworks is so typical. I see people on phones in the checkout line, texting in the narthex before church. It is sad. Life is wonderful, and the best way to enjoy it is to live it with your full attention.

My girlfriend and I were talking about this recently. She thinks the reason I really connect with her 4-year old is that when we are together, even with her mom, that I am totally focused on her. I don't have a cell phone (I know I am totally out of touch with reality); I just don't feel the need to be in contact with people every minute of every day. When she mentioned this to our other friend she was stunned. She said her son recently complained to his dad that they never just talked, even when they were alone. Even driving, dad was on the phone and not connecting with his son.

I do crochet and watch tv, read and try to watch tv, read and listen to music, so I am not always totally focusing on one thing at a time either.

Part of the problem is just the availability of so much information everywhere, coming at you all the time. It is over-stimulating. I struggle with finding quiet time to read my Bible and pray without interruption. I need to really set aside time for God.

I read somewhere that Jesus is waiting for you, every day, to just spend some time with him. Try to imagine Him sitting at your kitchen table, or on your couch, just waiting for you to join Him.

This is so much a problem in our culture. I didn't realize how much for me until I linked multitasking to a problem I've started having as I get older and more hormonally challenged. I read an article about unitasking that pointed out that our brains can only keep track of so much at once, so when we multitask it loses some of the data we think we will remember. Practically speaking, if I am talking on the phone when I get out of the car, I won't necessarily remember to put my car keys in their assigned place and won't find them later until I see them on the seat of my locked car! (True experience)
Since I discovered this I am trying to focus on important things at the time they are happening, but I am easily distracted. I've discovered there are few places in my home where I can sit and have a conversation without being distracted by something in my surroundings, and I don't even watch TV or listen to the radio. (I know. I'm strange.)
So, good luck learning to unitask, or at least trying to unlearn multitasking. With God's help, we can do anything.

What you are saying was brought home to me for the first time, at least the first time I was paying attention, last year, when as part of a new Bible study we had to spend 5 minutes ONLY concentrating on GOD. My mind raced a million ways it seemed, I had to keep on saying no not now to the many thoughts and task that kept trying to crowd into those 5 minutes. Have I learned to focus on Him every time I should , no, but I am conscious of a need deep within to spend that quality- ask you but it uni~tasking with my Savior. Thanks for another road sign to keep me on the track.

Heavenly Father, during the moments of our day that we devote to you, help us to block everything out and fully concentrate on You.
Holy Spirit, as You help us to pray, fill our minds with thoughts of our Saviour's love.
In Jesus Name, Amen

I have never blogged before , but when I was reading the blog, I realized that I also do it and I thought I didn't. I could relate to alot of the examples that you mentioned. I ask God to help me focus on the most importane things like him in the morn. with no other things on my mind.

One thing that I must confess that I do and don't like to admit it, is that sometimes driving I will talk on the phone and I know that the Lord has protected me, where I could have had an accident, but realize that we all need to not take those kind of chances. I am not doing that anymore. I do stop to make quick calls. Thanks for the blog. Blessings Joanne

Funny how The Lord works, for I am a suffer of mutlitasking all the time and have been found idle minded during a time I don't know how to handle. I have found myself longing for ways to quiet my mind for I now have too much time on my hands and I don't know what to do. I am a mother of five children and mutlitasking is something you have to do, especially with a special needs child also. So, I know what you are reffering to when it comes to be uni-tasked. Thank You so much for the powerful message within your words and article. God Bless!

Thanks SOOOO much Camerin!
In recent weeks I have been considering and pondering the concept that we humans are designed to be focused unitaskers rather than the reverse. Would LOVE some additional concrete data and biblical insights to consider from anyone who'd like to share.

Very timely article...I am the mother of 9 kids (7 are adopted)...5 still at home (between the ages of 17-24). I have work fulltime (out of the home) since my husband left almost 10 years ago...multi-tasking is essential to my day but a number of years ago I realized that I had to have one day a week when I just slowed down or else I would burn out...for me sundays work out well...my kids complain but we switch the TV off on sundays and computer use is limited...it gives everyone time to slow down and be still...I enjoy the extended times with God and keep a piece of paper along with my journal so I can just write down the stray thoughts that pop in of things I need to remember...journalling helps to minimize distractions when you are having some time with God...yesterday at church we were reminded of the need to spend intimate time with God...very timely reminder to minimize the multi-tasking and focus entirely on what we are doing...thank you!!!