Once my son’s new room was 99% complete, I shifted my focus to a new project (because I always need to be working on the next big thing) – Operation ONE!

That’s right – instead of trying to figure out how to do 10 things at once I’m going to try and focus on only doing ONE thing at a time. I recently read an article where this guy tried this same experiment – shutting everything else out and really concentrating on only doing one thing. It’s not easy.

As I sit here & write this I’m distracted by the conversation going on in the office next to mine (do they really have those shoes in green at Marshalls? I wonder how quickly I could get to Marshalls.) Or the squeaking noise from the chair of the co-worker behind me (is he pretending he’s on a roller coaster over there or simply trying to reach the wipe-board?) But I wrestle my brain back to this blog page – focus you thing you! Quick check on Sunshine, my new beta fish/office pet – is he still alive? yes, whew. Ok, where was I? Right. ONE.

ONE Task very well done. ONE thought fully processed (that includes remembering it in detail 5 minutes from now). ONE project completed.

Instructions to self: Save blog as draft – come back a week later to see how it goes…

So, after doing this for one week I realize that ONE is not a number in my vocabulary. I’m a multi-tasker. I’ve spent years perfecting the coffee pour, voicemail dial, email check, status update meeting juggle. I’m a pro. They should put a friggin plaque in the hall of “Those Who Can Multi-task” building that says I’m the greatest freakin multi-tasking rock star of this millenia. So I test a new theory – only do the ONE thing when I’m with my kids.

This way I can fully embrace the fast-paced, multi-tasking world that is my life from 9-5, and still stop to smell the roses from 5pm on…

This is working for me. I am playing with my kids. They are laughing as I tickle them. Nothing else intrudes on our tickle-fest to take me away from this moment of sheer joy and fulfillment.

My life as it stands today? ONE happy multi-tasker.