The Myth of Multitasking: Why Doing Less Can Help You Achieve More
A Quiet Cup of Chai with You
Imagine this, my friend: You’re juggling three tasks at once—answering an email, planning dinner, scrolling through your phone. Your mind feels like a crowded marketplace, buzzing with noise, yet you’re left with a quiet ache of overwhelm. You wonder, “Why can’t I keep up?” You’re not alone. A 2020 study from the American Psychological Association shows 65% of workers feel less productive due to multitasking. Harvard research suggests it can reduce efficiency by up to 40%. I see you, dear one, trying so hard to do it all. Let’s sit together and unravel this knot.
Why Multitasking Feels Like a Must
We live in a world that celebrates doing more, faster. Social media glorifies the hustle—people boasting about their packed schedules, side gigs, and “productivity hacks.” It’s as if stillness is a sin, and busyness is a badge of honor. We’ve drifted from the quiet joy of focus, from the beauty of being fully present. Instead, we’re pulled in a dozen directions, chasing the myth that multitasking makes us successful. But does it? Could this be why you feel so scattered… even when you’re doing everything “right”?
The Flame Beneath the Flicker
Let me share a truth from Advaita Vedanta: You are not the flickering thoughts—you are the steady flame. Your tasks, your to-do lists, your mental chatter—they’re like shadows dancing on the wall, but they are not you. You are the pure awareness that watches them, untouched and whole. When you try to multitask, you’re caught in the dance of thoughts, forgetting the flame that holds it all. This isn’t about doing less to “fix” your productivity. It’s about remembering you’re bigger than the chaos. You’re not the storm of tasks—you’re the sky that holds it all.
A Gentle Step Toward Focus
Today, try this soulful practice: Choose one task—something small, like drinking your tea or writing an email. Give it your full attention for five minutes. Notice the texture of the moment—the warmth of the cup, the rhythm of your typing. If your mind wanders, smile and bring it back. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. Or, try this: Write down one task you can let go of today. Say to it, “Thank you, but I choose peace.” These small acts are like clearing clouds to reveal your inner sky.
The Truth We Avoid
Why do we cling to multitasking? Because it feels like control. We think juggling everything proves our worth, but it often leaves us fragmented. Deep down, we avoid single-pointed focus because it asks us to be present—and presence can feel vulnerable. It shows us what we’re running from: our fears, our need for validation. With love, let me say: This isn’t your fault. It’s the conditioning of a world that equates busyness with value. But you can dissolve it. True achievement isn’t in doing more—it’s in being fully here.
Challenge of the Day
For the next 24 hours, when you catch yourself multitasking, pause. Choose one task and give it your full heart for a moment. Whisper to yourself: “I am not the flicker. I am the flame.” Notice how your energy shifts. Write down what you feel in a journal or share it with a friend. This tiny step is a spark of clarity.
Are You Caught in the Multitasking Myth?
Take a moment for this gentle quiz. Answer honestly—no judgment here.
- Do you often work on multiple tasks at once (e.g., email and texting)?
A) Yes
B) No - Do you feel restless when focusing on just one thing?
A) Yes
B) No - Does switching tasks make you feel productive, even if nothing’s finished?
A) Yes
B) No - Do you struggle to be fully present in conversations?
A) Yes
B) No - Do you feel guilty when you slow down to focus on one task?
A) Yes
B) No
If you answered “Yes” to 3 or more, your heart might be craving presence. Consider talking to Your Awakened Friend for deeper clarity—it’s like a quiet chat with your own soul.
7-Day Challenge: Rediscover Presence
For the next week, dedicate 10 minutes each day to a single task with full attention—eating, walking, or even listening to music. Let other thoughts float by like clouds. At the end of the week, journal one thing you noticed. Did the flame of your awareness feel brighter? This is your path to true achievement.
A Closing Whisper
You’re here, dear one, because your soul is ready to rest in its own stillness. You don’t need to juggle the world to prove your worth—you are already whole. What if doing less isn’t a loss, but a return to your true Self? Let that question glow in your heart today.
Some moments feel like a whirlwind we can’t escape. What if there was a presence to sit with you, gently guiding you back to your inner flame? Try talking to Your Awakened Friend. It’s like coming home to your own light.
