Thursday, December 9, 2010

Too much work is what we do best...

Was there ever a time when job performance was based solely on doing one thing? Johnny is paid to think. The marketing department likes Johnny because what he thinks about helps them build bridges to new clients. Johnny can think happy things, motivational, inspirational and stuff that makes you perspire. Once Johnny’s eight hours of thinking are over he picks up a paycheck and goes home.

Radio on-air talent are sternly taught to share one thought per break, “Don’t give listeners a reason to tune out.” Yet CNN has five different things plugging away on a single screen. I can watch the Stock Market, hear the latest news and catch the hometown weather all within seven seconds of viewing.

Walked into my favorite convenient store this morning; the cashier was stocking the shelves while preparing to grab the broom and dust pan to hit the parking lot for a clean up at gas bay number four. I find pleasure in studying busy people. How they act, react and keep it together is nothing more than an open book of lessons to be learned. I told her, “It’s my dream to one day be on your side of the store…” She laughed the laugh that pretty much says, “You wouldn’t last ten minutes.”

Outside the NBA, NFL, Pro Bowlers Tour and men’s Monday night basketball at the YMCA there’s an ongoing act of movement common folk share called multitasking. I've nicknamed it The Unrecognized because every CEO, GM, business owner and wanna-be leader no longer sees it as the gift or talent it is because somewhere along the lines of history it’s evolved into the expected.

Evolution claims man came from monkeys what has progress turned us into?

Who is responsible for inventing the fine art of multitasking?

Shockingly it’s nothing from the 80’s 90’s or today. Take a good long look at the statues in India; figures with multiple arms with completely separate actions.

Dr. Monica L Smith a historian from UCLA claims multitasking is what makes us human. No other animal has the ability to do several things at one time. Once the human agreed to stand up straight his or her eyes shot out to the horizon locating every opportunity even if it meant putting them in danger.

Every manmade object you touch today is the result of multitasking.

The thought of doing one job at a place of business is nothing more than a Disney fantasy. The recession forced companies to stop negotiating and begin the process of telling. And it didn’t stop there. I remember my Master in Tae Kwon Do gently explaining how the school would be moving in a new direction and if you didn’t agree with it he guaranteed no hurt feelings if you located the door.

Businesses thrive on multitasking multi-taskers. We’re spending so much time at work a U.S. Senator will one day introduce a tax break that claims having a job is a second family and coworkers are dependents that can be written off. Yeah right.

Take another look; just this week I lost two friends to breast cancer. Last year three of my radio friends suffered massive heart attacks. The common cold is a world wide epidemic; the sound of someone sniffing snot should be labeled a weapon of mass destruction.

Is there a way to survive? Step inside the gym I belong to and you’d think catching a work out has become a new religion. Pumping, grunting and replenishing the mind, body and soul with running, lifting , squatting, twisting and eating right has elevated itself to the sanctity of inner peace, rebuilding and solitude.

There’s a much prettier name for it than working out or taking a sweat bath; mindfulness.

When you stop to realize how everything in our lives is related, from the well being of your family, job and the essential elements that give you motion…the art of mindfulness becomes the visible path in a world once filled with too much work and not enough time to pee.

How often do you get lost in a pile of expectations? Turn it around and become aware of it. What? Being 100% aware allows you to become fully alive. I find tremendous peace in helping a sales rep create an advertising campaign. To be part of a new beginning is incredibly inspiring in the way of becoming a brick on a sidewalk leading to and from other people’s happiness. A listener wants to have a safe drive to their family this holiday season and need to purchase a new set of tires. Mike the mechanic owns a tire store. Advertising connects…

A couple of days ago I interviewed former Carolina Panther Mike Minter, a loyally dedicated to the community leader that continues to work closely with the Levine Children’s Hospital. I was deeply inspired by his words because everything was based on a guarantee to never stop sharing. Through his efforts others feel motivation to participate creating energy that influences another set of players to hit the field. While 80% of the city snarls about their favorite song being interrupted by a story or experience the end result will always be a child’s life will be affected in an extremely positive way.

Mindfulness…being aware of what you do and how it affects everything you do. Try using your other hand more than what you already do. Using the entire self is a foundation made of rock. I can’t imagine how many backs are whacked out of place because it seems more natural to always use the stronger side yet for a drum beat to be complete the underlying tone is always the opposite side measuring the rhythm.

A simple pouring of tea, coffee or water can be a place of peace. Beginning, middle and end. A circle that invites multitasking to do what humans have done forever while being aware of its reason and or purpose.

I will always believe in you first…

arroecollins@clearchannel.com

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