The Power of Being Unhurried: How Relaxing Made Me More Productive
For most of my career, I prided myself on being a multitasker. My brain, wired with a bit of a chaotic energy, made me feel like I was always working, always rushing. I believed that to get more done, I had to do more things at once. But in reality, this approach was doing the opposite—it was slowing me down. I’d finish a project, only to find myself going back to fix mistakes, which felt more like a chore than a genuine accomplishment. It was like I was constantly paying a "mistake tax" on every rushed job.
The Myth of Multitasking
For someone who struggles with ADHD, multitasking can feel like a natural state. The brain is always looking for the next exciting thing, and jumping between tasks seems like a way to keep up. But as I've learned, constantly switching between tasks is a surefire way to lose focus and quality. The real magic happens when you dedicate your full mental energy to a single task and see it through to completion.
The Benefits of a Relaxed Mind
Ever since I started practicing a more relaxed approach, I've found myself getting more done and, more importantly, enjoying the process. By focusing on one task at a time, my mental space is no longer cluttered with a hundred other things I need to remember.
This shift has brought consistency to my life. I'm now better at keeping a schedule and a to-do list organized. Instead of constantly searching for a more "exciting" task, I've learned to just focus on the most important one. This also makes me a more enjoyable person to be around, as I'm not constantly running on a tight, frantic schedule.
This change even helped me with my sleep. I used to lie in bed, my mind racing with thoughts about the day and the next project. I realized that I was trying to "think" while I was supposed to be resting. So, I started a new routine: I now dedicate a specific section of time before bed to just think and organize my thoughts. By doing this, I can go to sleep feeling calm, knowing that all the day’s tasks are complete, and my plans for tomorrow are in order.
