Mind Raiders

By Dr. Jeri Fink

Does this sound like you?

You're working on the computer. At the same time, you're talking on the telephone, checking stocks, and clicking on new e-mail.

Let's try another scenario. You're driving to work. At the same time, you're talking on the cell phone and listening to the traffic reports on the radio.

How about this? You're watching television, reading the newspaper spread across your lap and discussing weekend plans with your partner sitting next to you.

It's called multi-tasking. We do it all the time. Actually, the human mind is designed to be able to handle a whole lot of different tasks at the same time. But something shifted on the way to the new millennium. In the good old days, we'd multi-task here and there when we were really busy. Now? We multi-task most of the time. The result is that we're always so busy we find little time to relax and enjoy ourselves. We end up skimming the surface of our lives - rather then getting into the depths.

Huh? Skimming the surface? What's that all about? Well, let's look at the third example. You're watching television. But you can't really examine the program - think about the dialogue - consider the messages in the show. You probably don't even want to go any deeper. Because there's that newspaper on your lap. And you're skimming the headlines - maybe reading one or two paragraphs in the stories that interest you. The last thing on your list is to read the entire publication, page for page. And don't forget your partner is sitting next to you talking about this weekend. What movie do you want to see? How about making plans with those friends you haven't called for a month? Or what about going to that new restaurant . . . and, by the way, are you really listening?

Multi-tasking dilutes our attention. We end up getting a taste of everything - and little or nothing beneath the surface. We have no choice - in order to process all that's going on we simply don't have the time or the psychological energy to pause, focus, and look beneath the surface. The end result is that we become masters of many things - specialists in none. This spills into all aspects of our lives. We superficially speed through our days and our relationships. Like the frosting on a cake, we rarely get to the heart of the matter.

It's a loss we can't afford to take. Superficial lives remove us from real meaning as well as real pleasure. Things may look pretty, but in a superficial life they will quickly stop feeling pretty. So it's time to slow down, cut those tasks, and take a good look around you. It's easy to accomplish yet tough to put into practice.

STOP. Find time in your day or week to do only one thing at a time.

STOP. Don't raid your mind with small things - let the telephone ring or the newspaper remain unread. Take a walk with your partner and leave your beeper and cell behind, admiring the neighborhood, enjoying the fresh air on your face and the movement of your body.

STOP. Hold hands because sometimes it's the simplest task that affords the most pleasure.

Now is the time to slow down and really sniff those roses.