The Multi-tasking Mother

   As my kids play in the background and I walk around my messier than usual house looking for my work notes, I can't help but think about the age old question, "Can mothers really have it all?" Can mothers be 100% successful in business and 100% successful in their personal lives (friends, family, finesse, etc..)? I'm sure most women would laugh at the absurdity of this question and quickly answer, "Of course!" In theory, I would LOVE to utter the same words too! I would love to say I can do both extremely well. But that's just not true. I find the more I focus on one, the more the other suffers.

                                                    


   This brings me to a deeper question, "Is it really possible to do two things at once?" As I try to muddle through my never ending to do list of mommy duties, the thought of saving time and working smarter always crosses my mind. That's when I decide to multi-task!! Of course, why don't I cook dinner and clean at the same time...this usually results in the burning or overcooking of   dinner...lol.  Multi-tasking is defined as the process of performing  two or more tasks simultaneously . Research has shown our brains can only process one activity at a time. Our brains are just extremely good at rapidly switching from one task to another.


                                            

  I'm starting to realize that it's okay not to be 100% all of the time. Actually, research has proven, it's impossible to give your undivided attention on two things simultaneously. So why do mothers, like myself, continue to buy into this lie. Is it such a bad thing to prioritize??? NO!!! There are going to be times where family will demand our attention, superseding work and vice versa. One of the best lessons of life that I have learned is, you can never be your best when we try to be all things to all people at all times. We just weren't built that way. It doesn't make me unsuccessful or an inferior mother when I can't juggle everything, it makes me human.