Browse
Top articles
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Try free for 7 days.
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
00:00
00:00
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Hi, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about multitasking. I first want to share a quote by Publilius Syrus who says, "To do two things at once is to do neither." To do two things at once is to do neither. So let that sink in. I know we can all resonate with that experience of one, having a lot that we're trying to get done, but when we're doing one thing, not actually being there.
We're trying to get so much done in a day or in any given moment that, that well-intentioned effort of trying to cram a lot in actually prevents us from doing anything well. And that's what I love about this quote. To do two things or to try to do two things at once often means to not do either of them. We're, we're not giving our full selves to either. We're not being fully present for either.
We're not giving our best effort, our best focus, our best capacity. And so it really starts to challenge the myth of multitasking. And it is a myth. A lot of the research coming out of Wharton Business School continues to show that the more we try to do in any given moment, not only are we not able to, but we cause ourselves more stress in the process. And so this is something that we might know intuitively, especially as we're getting into our mindfulness practice.
We recognize like, yeah, I know I should be doing one thing at a time, but perhaps still in the background of our mind, it's like, yeah, I can, I can do it. I can beat the system. I can multitask. I can get a lot done. And it's not to say, don't try to get a lot done, but notice how many things you have swimming in your mind when you are doing one thing.
It might not be that you're actually doing two things at once, but while you are doing one thing, your mind is partially thinking about something else. And see if you can make these experiences a meditation practice in themselves. The conversation with a partner or your child, an email that you're writing, a phone call that you're having, see if you can give that task at hand, your full love, devote yourself to it, show up for it fully in the same way you would the breath and a meditation practice or sound as you're listening to the birds and in nature. To do two things at once is to do neither. See if you can make that your mantra today.
See how it helps you on your mindfulness journey. Thank you for your practice. Let's settle in for today's meditation.
The Perils of Multitasking
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Duration
Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.
Hi, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about multitasking. I first want to share a quote by Publilius Syrus who says, "To do two things at once is to do neither." To do two things at once is to do neither. So let that sink in. I know we can all resonate with that experience of one, having a lot that we're trying to get done, but when we're doing one thing, not actually being there.
We're trying to get so much done in a day or in any given moment that, that well-intentioned effort of trying to cram a lot in actually prevents us from doing anything well. And that's what I love about this quote. To do two things or to try to do two things at once often means to not do either of them. We're, we're not giving our full selves to either. We're not being fully present for either.
We're not giving our best effort, our best focus, our best capacity. And so it really starts to challenge the myth of multitasking. And it is a myth. A lot of the research coming out of Wharton Business School continues to show that the more we try to do in any given moment, not only are we not able to, but we cause ourselves more stress in the process. And so this is something that we might know intuitively, especially as we're getting into our mindfulness practice.
We recognize like, yeah, I know I should be doing one thing at a time, but perhaps still in the background of our mind, it's like, yeah, I can, I can do it. I can beat the system. I can multitask. I can get a lot done. And it's not to say, don't try to get a lot done, but notice how many things you have swimming in your mind when you are doing one thing.
It might not be that you're actually doing two things at once, but while you are doing one thing, your mind is partially thinking about something else. And see if you can make these experiences a meditation practice in themselves. The conversation with a partner or your child, an email that you're writing, a phone call that you're having, see if you can give that task at hand, your full love, devote yourself to it, show up for it fully in the same way you would the breath and a meditation practice or sound as you're listening to the birds and in nature. To do two things at once is to do neither. See if you can make that your mantra today.
See how it helps you on your mindfulness journey. Thank you for your practice. Let's settle in for today's meditation.
Duration
Play in-app
Scan the following QR code with your camera app to open it on our mobile app
Get Unlimited Access
A Mindfulness Plus+ subscription gives you unlimited access to a world of premium mindfulness content.
Email Missing
We couldn’t detect your email with the SSO provider you have selected.We are here to make a positive impact on the world. We never want to sell you something that hasn’t helped you live a better life. That’s why if you’re unhappy with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to get a full refund and your money back.
If you subscribed to Mindfulness Plus+ and are unhappy with your purchase, please get in contact with us within the 30-day period and we’ll refund your purchase.
Learn more about our Mindfulness Guarantee.
Mindfulness
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Private Browsing
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Annual membership
$0
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Thank you for joining us
Dive into the full library and enjoy all it has to offer!
Claim your free access
Create a mindfulness account and we’ll unlock this premium session in your account forever.
7-Days free trial, cancel anytime.
Complete a few quick questions to make your own personalized mindfulness plan.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Mindfulness
One membership to gain access to a world of premium mindfulness content created to help you live happier and stress less.