Ep 194: The Art of (Not) Multitasking
Have you ever been reading something on your phone and having a conversation with someone at the same time, only to realize minutes later that you have no idea what the other person has been talking about? It's not that you are intentionally ignoring them; it's simply a result of multitasking.
What is multitasking?
Multitasking, by definition, means to deal with more than one task at the same time. Although some of us claim to be expert multitaskers who can juggle multiple tasks at once, the truth is, none of us can give 100% attention to more than one task at a time. It's a proven fact that the human mind can only give full attention to one thought or process at a time. Even though some of us claim to be great at multitasking, the truth is, it is impossible for our conscious mind to focus on more than one task at a time. Understanding these limitations is the first step to overcoming our multitasking tendencies and understanding how our productivity is impacted by attempting to multitask.
Why multitasking is detrimental to productivity
I used to pride myself on being a great multitasker and being “busier” than everyone else. I thought that the answer to doing more was doing more at a time. Over the years, I’ve proven to myself that I’m truly not a great multitasker, and that the desire to multitask is something that has been holding me back. Arriving at this realization has not only impacted my horsemanship, but it has spilled over into all other areas of my life as well. I’ve noticed that my productivity has increased dramatically just by making the simple shift of giving my full attention to one task at a time. Mastering the art of not multitasking has allowed me to get further, faster with my horses.
How does multitasking affect our horsemanship?
Have you ever gotten to a point in a run where you felt like your horse (or you yourself) were not ready to make the move you needed to? I think there’s a solid argument that this lapse in preparation could be associated with our inability to multitask. When we have a certain task we need to achieve, our minds tend to jump ahead to the end result instead of focusing on each individual step in the process. We hold the thought process of the result, not the preparatory steps that put us in the best position to achieve that result.
Focusing on the signal before the signal
In the performance events like roping or barrel racing, a slight rate before a stop or turn is critical. This is what we call the “signal before the signal.” It is the cue that signals to the horse that there is an upcoming change in speed or direction. The signal before the signal is like putting your blinker on before you turn. It gives everyone involved a split second to prepare for the next step in the process. We often miss the signal before the signal because, mentally, we are focused on the steps that come after that signal. In our competitive runs, if we focus on the stop or turn itself and neglect to give our full attention to that signal before the signal for a split second, we will often miscue our horses without even realizing it. Oftentimes, the signal before the signal does not involve a drastic change; it involves a slight adjustment in body position that signals to your horse that they will soon need to adjust their body position to match the task at hand. If we do a good job throughout a run of helping our horses know what is coming next, the actual tasks that we need them to complete become that much easier.
Where the subconscious mind comes into play
The conscious mind can only occupy one thought or process at a time. The subconscious mind, on the other hand, can serve as our hidden ability to multitask. When we have our subconscious mind programmed to perform certain tasks, it can be working in the background to support the thoughts and processes that our conscious mind is focused on. This is why repetition and fundamentals are so important in horsemanship. Because our conscious mind is limited in the volume of tasks it can focus on at a given moment, we have to take advantage of the power of our subconscious mind to fill in the gaps.
How to master the art of (not) multitasking
Breaking the habit of multitasking can be a process. For those of us who have grown accustomed to having our attention divided amongst a variety of tasks, focusing our attention on one thing at a time can seem counterintuitive. However, if we can challenge ourselves to minimize distractions, complete one task, then move on to the next, I think we’ll all be surprised at just how much more we can accomplish in a given day.
“Be Your Best Horsemanship” is brought to you by Silver Lining Herbs, Classic Equine, Martin Saddlery, Better Horses Network, Purina, Healthycoat, CINCH, Starbar, and Clarifly. These brands have been part of the Phil Haugen Horsemanship team for many years, and their products continue to play an integral role in the success of our performance horse training program. To support these brands, visit our Sponsors tab.
