The Multitasking Myth
Multitasking — supposedly the ability to do more than one thing at a time. Yeah, not happening here anymore. It’s the old “Jack of all trades, master of none” routine. Are you a multitasking person? Do you like being a Jack? Are you “common”? No, no indeed you are not. Are you a master of your own life? I’m not quite there yet, but I’m working on it.
Multitasking is a mastery killer. It eats your energy, your time, your creativity, and your patience. So why do so many job ads still demand “excellent multitasking skills”? I don’t know — sometimes I wonder if employers prefer people who never quite master anything, because mastery might lead to asking for better pay. Satisfactory performance reviews, satisfactory pay. Hmmm.
So what’s the fix?
Quit multitasking. You may look well-rounded juggling ten things at once, but you won’t be a person of depth. Master your life instead.
How do I do that?
I prioritize, and then I follow through. I work on one task until it’s done. When a job is too big for one sitting, I break it into smaller, manageable pieces that fit the time I have — realistic chunks, not fantasy lists.
Example time (YaY!)
I was in The Music Man for two weekends. Call time: 5:30 p.m. for evening shows Thursday–Sunday, and 1:00 p.m. for Saturday–Sunday matinees. Did I try to do housework, grocery shopping, and socializing on those days? NO. I couldn’t — and wouldn’t — risk being half-ready, half-present, and half-hearted. I knew I had to be my best on stage.
So my performance days were simple: start hair and makeup at 3:30, be at the theater by 5:30. The play was the priority. That’s it.
Monday morning? Sink full of dishes, an empty fridge, a pile of unread texts. And that’s okay. I didn’t try to get it all done in a day.
I took Monday to clean the kitchen — mastered that task. Tuesday was laundry — all day, but I did nothing else while I moved loads, folded, and put things away. Mastered. Thursday I planned the week’s menu and made a grocery list for delivery. Friday the groceries arrived early and went straight into the pantry — mastered. The rest of Friday? I reworked my website and took a nap (that nap was delightfully easy to master).
Yes, multitasking is a myth. Nobody can do everything well, all the time.
What I’ve learned from dropping multitasking is simple: I’m proud of what I finish. I feel accomplished. I have more energy, creativity, and time for the things that matter. I’m happier with who I am.
Do you multitask yourself into oblivion? Take a few quiet minutes and ask: am I a master of my life, or just a busy Jack of all trades?
Blessings,
Bethanne
08/09/2025
