For those of you who complained about this newsletter being late, here it is with an apology. No, an explanation. I was away. On vacation. A working vacation. With my family.

I was a guest speaker at a leadership conference in Myrtle Beach. (Would you worry about a nonsense newsletter on Myrtle’s beach?)

In other words, I was trying to multi-task. Working and vacationing. I’m not very good at multi-tasking and so almost messed up my vacation. And my talk. I was trying to be jack of all trades and almost became the master of none. Luckily, I found my balance in the nick of time.

Have you heard of this Jack? You have? Then why are you so keen on multi-tasking? Multi-tasking does not work. Mmmaybe it does. What I mean is that multi-tasking does not work very well.

No, that’s still not right. Hang on, let me stop watching the television for a minute and focus on what I’m writing. Here goes.

Multi-tasking works well enough if the outcomes of the different tasks that you are doing at once don’t matter much to you. However, if the different outcomes do matter, then maybe you should give each task the single minded focus it deserves.

Single-minded focus can deliver two unexpected bonuses. Not only are you likely to get each task done quicker. You also tend to produce better quality outcomes as well.

However, if outcomes don’t matter to you, then by all means, work on your vacation. And on the way back home, go ahead - talk and drive at the same time. It’s your outcome.

And if you are one of those who believe that multi-tasking is not only a skill, but a necessity, then you had better keep your training wheels handy - you’ll need them, again and again.

Do you realize that training wheels don’t teach balance? They simply stop you falling over. Balance is a critical skill in cycling, but the tool designed to teach you that skill actually prevents you learning it. Why? Because it creates the illusion of balance.

When I realized this, it got me thinking about life. We use similar crutches to prop us up so that we can pretend to be balanced and in control.

Get rid of them. Balance does not matter. What matters is your ability to get up when you’ve lost your balance. Which you will, often, if you don’t give what you’re doing the attention it deserves.

►OPT IN HERE (if you want to receive this nonsense)

►OPT OUT HERE (if you would rather not receive this nonsense)

Privacy Promise: Would I share your email address with others?  Of course not! I want my email to be the only nonsense you get.

© 2008 James Henry McIntosh - All rights reserved