The reality is that it's not an achievement: it's a risk.
We eat in front of the television or while checking our mobile phones. How many times in a restaurant do you see parents on their phones while their children spill sauce on the tablecloth or throw crisps on the floor? Or worse: the children also have a device in their hands.
On my daily walks with my dog; I see dog owners on the phone; checking social media or chatting. Rarely does anyone "just walk their pet;" as if their life depended on it.
The same goes for parents pushing a pram while their child points and says; "look" or "look over there"... and they continue to stare at their screen. One day; a two-year-old girl was almost run over because her dad couldn't take his eyes off his mobile phone.
We live believing that "multitasking" is synonymous with productivity; but science has already disproved this: it reduces productivity; increases errors and wears down the mind.
A few decades ago; meditation was seen as something "hippie" or esoteric; reserved for those who sought Eastern spirituality or dropped out of the system. Today; science has proven its benefits: mindfulness is an indispensable tool for mental health. Beyond that; it is also a way to achieve extraordinary results.
All these practices have one thing in common: doing one thing at a time; being fully present in what you are doing.
When we work with a client; we understand that the internal team cannot delve into certain categories of expenditure or cost. They have to be operational; resolving internal and external crises... and the day still only has 24 hours. In theory; there are only 40 working hours per week; which are soon taken up by meetings and emergencies.
At ERA; we live by this principle: when we take on a project; we do so with absolute focus. We don't have to worry about day-to-day operations; so we can immerse ourselves completely in the problem at hand. We don't try to solve packaging; IT and cleaning issues all at the same time. Each specialist works on a single issue; studies it in depth and doesn't stop until they find the best solution.
Excellence is not achieved by doing everything at once; but by doing one thing well.
I feel most overwhelmed when I try to concentrate on one thing while five other things demand my attention. Then I remember: one thing at a time... and I breathe.
And you; what is that one thing you should be doing right now? How do you manage to focus on it?
