Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Multitasking Madness

Sometimes I feel like there just isn't enough time in the day. When I look at my to do list, and the more I do the longer it gets, something has to be done. Most days I don't have time for all the things that need to get done, let alone the things that I want to do. That's when the multitasking madness starts. Here are some of the things I have coupled together so that I can get to everything.







Eating breakfast while computing. I am sitting here right now with my muffin and tea while I am writing today's post.

Spanish on the elliptical. I'm working a brain sweat along with my body sweat.

Working out drum parts while running. I may look like I am having a seizure at times, but it works for me.

Brushing my teeth while cleaning the bathroom. No, gross! I don't clean the toilet or anything.... just start picking up things on the counter and putting them away. Geeze!

Dancing while cooking. A great way to fit in an extra workout, or any workout if I missed mine that morning. Nothing goes with mixing up a batch of muffins for breakfast the next morning than Lady Gaga!

Blogging and cleaning. Uploading pictures can take some time, so I am usually doing the dishes or folding laundry while I am waiting for them.

Walk during conversations. Aaron was laughing at me the other day on this one. I didn't have time to go for my run the other morning and was feeling frumpy. I had A TON of phone calls to make so I grabbed my list and the phone and started walking laps in the house. Got my phone calls made and a 30 minute walk. Not ideal, but something.

Shower stretching. I usually have to start working shortly after my workouts, so many mornings I will hop right into the shower and do my stretching in there while I am rinsing off.... or better yet...

Brushing my teeth in the shower. I have not taken to preparing my dinner in the shower.... yet. (remember that Seinfeld episode! :o)

Shopping with my mom. I am really trying to spend more time with my mom. It is really hard to fit in the time to just hang though, especially since she lives 45 minutes away from me. So, we have started shopping dates twice a month. She comes out, we grab some lunch and then she comes with me on my errands for the week. I get the groceries, we both get the attention.

Some people will say that you are not as productive if you multitask, but I say boo to them. For me, it's a great way to couple the things I want to do with the things I need to do so that I have time for it all. It doesn't always work - I am here to tell you that writing a grocery list (heck, writing anything) while running on the elliptical DOES NOT work, tried it - but I do end up getting to a lot of things I otherwise wouldn't have had the time for.

What are some multitasking skills you have come up with? I am always looking for more ways to cram lots into a little space.

picture taken by dspaulding09

2 comments:

  1. Don't know if this is what you are looking for but I love to read and don't seem to find a lot of time to do it so I do three different things.
    1. Listen to books on tape while cooking dinner, baking or doing dishes.
    2. I read while I am on hold. You would be surprised how often I get put on hold. I think that I am abnormal that way.
    3. This is gross to many but I read while in the bathroom. I usually just bring in the book I'm reading but occasionally I just pick a bathroom book. I leave it on the back of the toilet and it takes me several months to get through it but I do!

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