Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always wanted to do all the things, all at once.
When it comes to new business plans or creative ideas, I tend to see every task as urgent and overwhelm myself with the possibilities.
As soon as one tab closes, another one opens. And I can’t stop consuming, comparing, and pseudo-completing.
Thankfully, recent times have caused me to recenter on the benefits of taking it one thing at a time:
When I remember the power of one:
I get to detach from the idea of “busyness” as a mark of success.
I’m more tapped into the moment and a little bit closer to calm.
I’m less drawn to decision fatigue and less prone to procrastination.
I get to practice a discipline of focus that counteracts distraction.
In the words of James Clear, “Doing more things does not drive faster or better results. Doing better things drives better results.”
When I remember the big picture:
I can orchestrate a sequence of micro-goals that will ultimately serve my macro-goals.
Like a filmmaker, I can zoom in on the edits that will make a difference when I play my life from front to back.
I can craft an overall mission statement that connects me to my day-to-day. It’s a work in progress and that’s okay.
In the morning I ask myself:
What is the one thing I want to be, do, or have today?
What is both the most reasonable and the most likely to make an impact today?
What does it look like when I let everything else be optional?
When I remember to write things down:
I can analyze my urgent thoughts independent from one another, instead of trapping them inside my head where they always battle it out.
I can connect the dots and acknowledge my patterns on paper.
I can literally draw circles around what’s most important to me at the time.
I can cross things out, allowing the freedom to make a mess, change my mind, and re-negotiate my approach.
When I remember to reflect with others:
My friends and partners get to hold me accountable to just one thing.
I get to explore my “why’s” and “how’s” out loud, inviting better ideas into the room.
I get to verbally celebrate the act of following through, which brings more momentum to my day.
These are just 4 reflections on single-tasking that have helped me find a healthier pace. What’s guiding you?