Single-Minded Devotion

I used to think I'm a natural multi-tasker. Just for the simple fact that I was able to do several things at a time. But was I efficient in each of those tasks? Probably not. I got it done, mostly error-free, and ticked it off my TO DO list. I never however questioned the very fact that multi-tasking doesn't necessarily result in the fastest and most efficient results. It just FELT like it because I was doing several things at a time. Recently, I've been analysing this behavioural pattern. And having spoken with people and read into the topic has made me realise that there is another way to go about tasks and productivity. In fact, to go about life in general.

Single-minded devotion.

In each and every moment of doing something. And the other day, I came across this article by Leo Babauta that made me commit to trying to break my pattern for good. To devote my attention to ONE things at a time FULLY in each and every moment. Read on, maybe you get inspired too!

A secret to productivity, happiness and mindfulness that you can practice right now, and every day: Devote yourself single-mindedly to ANYTHING you do. For example, you can single-mindedly focus on:

• Writing
• Washing a dish
• Talking to someone
• Reading an online article
• Listening to a podcast
• Eating a grape
• Running

Most of us try to combine doing two or more things at once, by listening to a podcast while running. It's not enjoyable. You’re not really present with either. That’s not to say you should never combine activities, but to the extent that you decide to focus on one at a time, you’ll be more present with it, and more fully appreciate it.
Most of us are also very good at switching focus. What it means is that we’re not really devoting ourselves to anything. We’re saying that there is nothing worthy of our full attention. Nothing is sacred if we are constantly switching.

What if we made everything we do sacred?

What if we decide that if we’re going to spend precious moments of our life on something, we’re going to treat it with reverence, wonder and respect?

What if every time we ate something, we gave it our undivided attention?

​Every time we talk to someone, we treat their words as if they were their last words?

What if, every time we open a website, we have only that website open … and treat it as if it were a sacred activity?

What if, every time we do anything, we give it not only our full attention, but our full appreciation? We found gratitude and wonder and love in everything we did?

If we acted like this, every day, then our lives would be filled with mindfulness, gratitude, happiness.
When you are about to start doing something, pause to notice what you’re doing. Set an intention to be fully devoted, single-mindedly devoted, to this one thing. Then give it your everything, as if it were your last act.

Try it for a day! I'd be curious to hear your feedback on what changed for you.

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