Multi-tasking

Multi-tasking means you do several things at the same time. You can send a text message at the same time you are talking face-to-face with a friend. Or you watch TV while helping your youngster with homework. While women far outperform their male counterparts when it comes to multi-tasking, no one can really do two or three things at the same time as well as doing one thing at a time. “Others may not,” you think, “but I can!” Really? Ask your friends –  the ones you talk with at the same time you check your email – if you make awkward pauses in the conversation or say, “Yeah, sure!” when you should have made an entirely different response.

Multi-tasking means you lose your focus. When you switch back and forth, whether it is between the TV program you are watching and concentrating on what your wife is saying, or listening to someone on the phone and checking your email, you cannot give complete concentration on one or the other.

Paul didn’t buy into the multi-tasking mentality. He said pointedly, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Your relationship with God gets just as neglected when He simply becomes one of several options or interests. Give Him your complete devotion. It’s hard to change the way God wired your brain, no matter how hard you try. To the degree you can, focus on the important task and make it the main thing. You accomplish more and feel better about yourself and what you do.