Yesterday, as I was about to leave the coffee shop to get to my office for an afternoon appointment, I noticed my right front tire was completely flat. My first thought was to call my client to reschedule, but I did not have his phone number on me, so I called a taxi.
While waiting for the cab, I called roadside assistance to have my truck towed to a tire shop. While the call is dialing, I am taking the truck key off my keychain to leave in the console for the tow truck driver. But they informed me that I would need to be with my vehicle when the tow truck arrives, so I would need to call back when I could be there.
During this call the cab arrives and I am gathering my belongings to take with me to the office: laptop, sunglasses, ipod, Thai iced coffee. And as I am gesturing to the cab driver and finishing up my conversation with the roadside assistance lady (a kind and patient soul), clutching the plastic cup of iced coffee in my teeth, throwing my laptop bag over my shoulder, locking the door with my elbow, I close the door while simultaneously realizing I had left my key in the console. [Insert expletive!]
I spend the entire cab ride wishing I had taken the time to find a legitimate parking spot–oh yeah, it was totally my fault because I wanted to save time and didn’t want to circle the parking lot so I parked illegally in front of a dumpster. Ten minutes and $20 later I arrive at my office just in time. I usually try to meditate for a few minutes prior to each session, but I wouldn’t have that luxury. I wonder if my client notices that I am out of sorts or any less present during the session.
A lot of other stuff happened later that evening and when I finally made it home with a new tire, (a $161.88 tire thank you very much) I realized I had left my house/office keys back at the office. Luckily my wife was home to greet me with sympathy and fresh baked cookies to take the edge off. As I reflect on yesterday’s events , I am grateful for the lesson. Slow. Down.
Multitasking is not a virtue. Doing multiple things at once, if done for any amount of time is not sustainable and doomed to break down. When you multitask, you are diluting your ability to do any one thing well. What’s the hurry anyway?
Our lives are not lived any better in fast forward. Would you watch a movie in fast forward to save time? Time cannot be “saved.” Time is limited and it doesn’t give you credit or bonus years for getting more done faster. If you want to live life well, go slow. Take it in. Each moment is abundant with life. Don’t throw it away just so you can “get ahead.”
There is no such thing as getting ahead. Life is now, not at some point in the future, not after you reach your quota, or make your million, or close that deal. That day may never come and then what? Game over, friend. So take a deep breath. Feel your breath go in and then out again. Feel your body, your heartbeat, any tension. Look at what is all around you, really look at it.
When you eat, savor your food. Taste it. When you wait for a bus or an elevator you don’t have to jump on your phone to check your Facebook or Twitter feeds. It may seem weird at first, but just stand there and take in your surroundings. When you’re in conversation with someone, be present with them and try not to get distracted by text messages or email alerts. In fact, turn your phone off when your eating or writing or reading or spending time with your family. Your phone doesn’t own you, does it? Give yourself extra time to get places. Walk or ride a bike if you can. Don’t clutter your day with unnecessary obligations. Make fewer commitments. Do less. Slow down.