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I have a bad habit.
It’s multitasking.
Now multitasking isn’t always a bad thing. I’ve found multitasking in the kitchen to make a huge difference in my meal planning. But when my multitasking negatively affects other people, it’s time to take a second look.
See if this sounds familiar…
I’m sitting at my computer writing a blog post, checking grocery store sales, or hashing out a design problem on a client’s site. Emma has a little break from schoolwork with Daddy or is playing. She appears at my elbow with something she wants to tell me.
Right then I have a choice to make. I can smile, nod, and keep typing while I half-listen. Or I can stop, turn, make eye contact, and fully engage with her as she tells her story.
My husband was the one to call me on the habit of multitasking through conversations. I had been doing it to him too. What I wasn’t thinking about was how unimportant people felt when I didn’t give them my full attention.
I’m now trying to be more intentional in my listening. When Emma comes to talk to me, I try to show her that what she has to say is valuable and that she is a priority for me. The day is coming when I’ll wish she talked to us more, so I want to lay a foundation as a good listener.
I don’t always do it perfectly (far from it!), but simply being aware and intentional has been a good start for me. Now I try to stop, look, and listen. Really listen.
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