Reading time 47 seconds of undivided attention
The concept of multi-tasking used to refer to what seems so simple now, like talking on the phone while unloading the dishwasher. Multi-tasking has taken on a whole new look.
I watched my son last night: headphones on listening to music, streaming through emails on his ipad, texting his colleagues with regards to an upcoming business event and watching the ball game. Has communication afforded or demanded that we aspire to skillfully manage everything at once?
Here’s the aha.
The brain can only concentrate on one task at a time.
The truth is we don’t really multi-task concurrently. The brain actually flips from one frame or situation to another. The more we have going on, the more frequent the need for our brains to flip.
Ever been driving your car with the music blaring then you turn down the music when you need to navigate your way to an unknown destination? Or just plain driving while in thought and realized you went two exits past the one you wanted?
Messages are coming to us in multiple forms rapidly minute by minute, second by second. So, to where are we choosing to pay attention?
Now there’s a term: “pay attention”. “PAY” attention.
And what’s the cost when we don’t?
I don’t believe the art of listening ever goes out of style