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One At A Time

November 5, 2014

We have all heard about being present, or being in the moment, yet for most of us and for most of the time, we are more and more not present or in the moment.

With the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and social media, it becomes easier to not be in the moment.

Instead of being focused on one thing, we multi-task.  Now comes a study* that shows that multi-tasking is actually bad for you.  It lowers overall performance of each of the things you are doing vs. just doing one thing at a time.  It can also lower your I.Q.  It affects memory and attention span.  Multi-tasking in social settings also indicates low social awareness.

How many times when you are reading, or talking to someone, or watching a movie, or ….. do you have no recollection of what you read, heard, or saw?  Just like physically multi-tasking, when your mind is multi-tasking, or is preoccupied with thoughts other than the task at hand, the results of this study would also apply.

How would an athlete perform if they came into the competition thinking about personal issues.  Imagine if a boxer was not completely focused during a bout, what would his chances of victory be?  Not only would he most likely lose, he would probably get knocked out.

Would you like to perform at your optimum and succeed, or would you like to get knocked out?

Rebbe Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) said to a man who was tormented with negative thoughts, “Your mind is like your house.  You only let into to your house what you want and into your mind only let in those thoughts you want”.

Always bring your mind to where your body is because you are where your mind is

We all have free will and choice.  With that we can make the choices that will insure success.  Physically not multi-tasking is an easy choice to make.  Mentally not multi-tasking is harder, and for some very hard.  When through strength and determination you overcome that which is most difficult, everything else becomes easier.

Whatever you do, or whatever you’re thinking about, do it one at a time and do it on purpose with purpose.

*For more on this study click here

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