Are you a proficient multitasker?
A personal story.
For years, I prided myself on being a high capacity, multitasking, status-quo-challenging adrenaline junkie. I was ah-mazing at getting things done, more than what was expected. At the same time. And,…..I doing it all, just in the nick of time.
“How did you do that?”
“Wow, you are so busy! How do you get it all done?”
“Where do you get your energy from?”
These were the frequently asked questions during conversations and personal exchanges with people.
Little did I know, I was actually making myself less intelligent with every extra task that I completed at the same time as another.
Little did they know, I was killing myself trying to get it all done. Impress. People Please. Take care of others.
According to a study published in the UK Guardian, ‘task switching’ or ‘multitasking’, lowers your IQ by 15 points! It’s also equivalent to staying awake all night. And it literally is breaking down own bodies over time.
With so many options and opportunities thrown at us throughout the day, our capacity can quickly become eroded if we’re trying to tackle too many things at once.
Often times, we find ourselves avoiding or postponing completing a difficult or less enjoyable task by entertaining other forms of distraction.
Preserving our capacity. Pacing ourselves. And taking on a more goal oriented mindset, will allow us to fully immerse ourselves in the things and the people we love.
So let’s look to reduce the amount of capacity eroding behaviours and tasks we take on every single day.
I recently posted a quick VIDEO on 3 things to preserve your capacity in order to reduce distraction and capacity erosion.
If you can’t watch the video now, here are the 3 things to help respect and preserve your capacity for other things that are more important.
1 – Breakfast.
So many people worry about what to eat, how much protein to incorporate, how many carbs they are eating and even IF they will have anything for breakfastat all. If you can tolerate having the same thing for breakfast every morning, you can rest assured your pantry will be stocked with those items. It will become second nature to have those ingredients on hand.
In the video I shared what I have for breakfast and it has been the best thing since sliced bread. Literally.
2- Wardrobe.
Many of us will stand in our closets and stare hopelessly at the options. How many times, have you stood there thinking of what to wear? What did you wear last week? What are people going to think? How some of your clothes make you feel awful…you know the ones you’ve had in your closet for literally years and you’ve never worn. The ones with the dust on the shoulders because it’s been untouched for so long?
Having approximately 15 items to mix and match can be an energy saver and capacity preserver. Little thought, little aggravation and less to wash and care for. Last thing you need is to waste your precious capacity bending your brain over what outfit to put together first thing in the morning.
3- Calendar.
How many of us wake up and instantly grab our phone? Perhaps to look for new messages. Or check the news. Or even scrolling endlessly in bed for over 5 mins only to get up in panic because you realized it’s been more like 20 mins??
The other reason people check their phones first thing in the morning, is to look at their calendars.
BIG MISTAKE.
Here’s why.
Once we wake up, our brains are still in a cycle of sleep. We are emerging out of our slumber and researchers have discovered that we should leave our brains free of screen time for at least 20 mins after waking. Our brains are still in a fragile state of awakening that once technology is introduced too soon, we can disturb our this sleep cycle and disrupt our rhythm for the rest of the day.
Checking our calendars before going to bed will allow to sleep more soundly knowing what is expected of us in the day ahead. We can plan better and not wake up in such a panic or at the mercy of the day.
Any other hacks, tricks or resources? Would love to hear them! Shoot me a line at melanie@capacitycreator.com
Hope you are respecting your capacity!
Melanie
www.capacitycreator.com
P.S. Like what you’re reading? Think someone you care about needs to take the assessment? Please share with a friend or send them the Capacity Creator Assessment link
