What is 8x7? When multitasking goes awry.

What is 8×7?

I’m taking a huge risk here, but for this blog I am going to use myself as an example of what not to do. I hope you relate to this embarrassing personal story and feel inspired to make a small change. Here goes:

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My work world has been exceptionally, over-the-top busy lately. So, yesterday I was sitting at my desk multitasking, per normal. I had been responding to multiple emails, answering texts, dealing with client crises all morning long, and trying to finish up a particularly challenging design issue when suddenly, my brain seized. I needed to solve a problem that was unrelated to what I was working on at that moment; a very small math calculation. It was rudimentary, not complicated or even very important; What is 8x7? I was stumped. It felt like I was looking through a dense fog and I literally could not remember the answer. Now, this should not have even been a question really, because of course I know my multiplication tables. Geese, I’ve had them memorized since I was 8 years old just like everybody else. But in this particular moment, my brain froze and I just couldn’t remember. I actually pulled out my phone, opened the calculator and typed in the computation. 8x7= Wtf? Panic. What is wrong with me?

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Although not a math genius, I clearly know basic multiplication, so what was this really about? The backstory is necessary to answer this question. I’m going to be painfully candid with you because that’s the only way that we can all grow. Here is the naked truth: I have way too much on my plate right now. I have a full-time therapy practice. I am in the middle of developing an E-course series, I have just launched a new website, and started writing a therapy blog. I have had to learn multiple new computer software programs, which is not in my wheelhouse. I have also just opened an Instagram account and for the first time in my life, I’m having to learn how to maneuver the very strange world of social media. To do this I have had to learn how to create posts and manage them. I also am married, I have a very spirited young child, a dog that needs constant attention, and aging parents that require a great deal of care. Oh, and we had a death in the family last week. My life is always busy, but this is an unusual level of insane chaos.

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At this point you’re probably chuckling as you read this. As I’ve just listed the highlights of what is currently going on in my life it’s so obvious; I am under too much stress and am trying to focus on too many damn things at the same time. It really is that simple.

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The fact that I could not remember a simple, rudimentary mathematical problem does not attest to my intelligence or lack thereof. I don’t have a brain tumor, or dementia. My poor brain just stopped functioning momentarily because I was abusing it with too many demands without a break. This minor brain-freeze was simply a very clear signal that I needed to pay closer attention to what I was doing. It was an alarm informing me that I am pushing myself too hard and juggling too much. My brain was gently, but firmly, reminding me that I need to practice what I preach and focus on creating more balance in my life and just slow down on the relentless multitasking.

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My friends, I am sharing this (rather humbling) personal story with you in hopes that you see yourself. I know that I am not alone in this particular fight. You are probably overextended with entirely different circumstances than I am, but more than likely, you’re taking on too much at one time also. If you are like most people, you are stupid-busy and stretched too thin. Assumably, your attention is constantly assaulted by the incessant demands of work/kids/life and you are usually distracted. This isn’t about blame; most of us are under too much stress. This is just the reality that the majority of us live in. Most of us don’t have enough down-time. And, unfortunately, when we do finally have a minute to ourselves, we usually multitask with checking our email, and scrolling through social media where our minds are assaulted with yet more information to process. Most of us.

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If this sounds familiar, I want to encourage you to slow down. I urge you to just periodically say “no” to multitasking. I know realistically, you can’t overhaul your entire life; so just take moments to simplify where possible. Intentionally focus on one thing as fully as you can, even if it’s for a short amount of time. If you are cooking dinner, try to focus on just cooking dinner; not, cooking-while-talking-on-the-phone-and helping-the-kiddo-with-their-homework-while-the-TV-blares-in-the-background. Give your abused brain a break. Give your poor overtaxed nervous system a moment to reset. Find small ways to unplug. Breathe a little more. Take a 20-minute bath instead of a 2-minute shower once in a while. Try out monotasking see how that feels.

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So, back to my mathematical question: what is 8x7? Hmmm…Maybe 8x7 is the amount of slow, mindful breaths that I should take. Or, perhaps 8x7 is the number of minutes that I could walk in the neighborhood after a hard day at work. Then again, 8x7 might be the minutes in a day that I choose to deeply engage with my child and give her my undivided attention. However I want to answer the question, I know this for certain, 8x7 is now my code for slow the hell down, be more present, do a little less. What is your answer to 8x7?

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