Multi-Tasking Nation
I wandered into our university’s gym one day and scanned the sweaty arena for an empty treadmill. After spotting a vacant machine, I sauntered towards it, swinging my handy, music collection in one hand and a scruffy towel in the other. After jogging on the rolling floor for a while, I looked around to see students huffing and puffing as they were simultaneously reading a textbook, listening to music, and running and/or hastily stepping on the Stair-Master whilst grabbing an occasional sip from their water bottle.
I am amazed by these people who can do three and sometimes four things at once. I have tried reading while jogging but the words blur as I jump from one foot to the next. Sometimes, I fling my headset on the floor because of the jumble of thoughts racing through my head. How can these people do it?
And it’s not only exercise. Lunch breaks consist of a mere ten minutes spent at one’s desk, wolfing down a bland sandwich while typing emails with greasy tips. Relaxing baths occur once in a blue moon; jumping in and out of a five minute shower is the usual routine to bodily cleanliness. People are ecstatic about their long, four day break that sadly has amounts of work related phone calls and messages exchanged with the real, grim, fast-paced world that awaits their return.
Yes, we all have to work. And we’re all searching for comfortable happiness. But we keep overlooking one factor that balances work and happiness, and that is appreciation.
PS DJ Shadow - In/Flux
PPS Emiliana Torrini - Telepathy
at 6:52 AM
10 Comments
Erzulie,
I'd read & text-message while driving.. with the music on of course.
One of my stupid habits.
Reading this post will remind me to keep my reading material in the trunk.
Thank you.
Shurouq: Ah that's very dangerous Shurouq. One time in Kuwait, I was driving and answered the phone; I looked down for one second and almost ran into the car in front of me. Cell phones and cars don't mix. Be careful. And oh, I stopped by your post today; sorry about your leave. I hope everything in your life will settle back into place :) Take care...
I try to read, watch TV, or listen to music when I'm exercising - anything to keep my mind off what I'm doing since I hate exercising :)
It's not really that difficult and I'd rather do that than watch other people work out since I hate it when people watch me work out.
McArabian: Haha, I know. I go to the gym at around 11 pm...I like to have the place to myself. Plus, I make to much noise stomping on the 'mill.
So true! I can never exercise & read at the same time!! Oh how many times I tried that stunt.. But listening to music actually helps with the adrenaline rush so now it's impossible to exercise in silence :P My gym recently got separate tv's & dvd players for each treadmill-I know, kashkha! Anyway I doubt anyone besides me uses them :P I put on the few Friends eps I have on dvd (all the rest are on tape :P I couldn't wait back then!) and jog whilst simultaneously listening to music (only because I have those episodes memorized!), I so cannot do it while watching a movie, unless its some slapstick comedy requiring the attention span of a goldfish! I guess that's as multi-tasking as I get :) Oh and I always sms while driving, I know bad habit :( but I dont even have to look away from the road most of the time (got them buttons memorized too!) .. As for studying, no way in hell I can do that unless I'm in a silent room, & even then I tend to drift off!! Guess everyone had their own unique combinations ;)
7tenths: Hehe, that was very informative. I sometimes find myself watching TV while exercising, and I too end up watching some flimsy comedic skit such as 'Blind Date' or another weightless show. The only time I sms in the car is when I'm waiting for the traffic light to turn green. I CANNOT study with people in the room, music, any sort of noise; it's just me, my books, and an occasional cup of coffee.
"How can these people do it?"
I have no idea! I personally can only focus at one thing at a time and give it my full attention. I take as long as I need too. :/
3baid: Yeah I mean I think I CAN do it but I don't really want to; I just feel that I won't be giving it my "all" if I do three things at once.
Ok, i admit, im another of those driving while smsing ppl. I know its dangerous. But i cant stop.
As for reading while on the treadmill...i get all woozy and sick to my stomach. The same as reading while ur on a car/train (obviously not driving).
DR: Hehe :) Well, I can read really well in planes...I don't watch the mini TV since I've watched most of the stuff anyway...
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