One Grain of Sand, One Task at a Time

The image of a superhuman with mythological multiple hands carrying out multiple tasks at a time, coupled with a visage that beams with pride and a sense of accomplishment, exists only in fiction. Multi-tasking, the buzz word today, is a humbug. One task or one rung at a time definitely carries weight and vision. Just try to think what happens to focus, quality and dedication when one attempts to paddle into too many waters or ride two boats simultaneously. Unquestioningly they are compromised. But in their overpowering desire for one upmanship many a people have been caught up in the toxic work culture today leading to anxiety, worry, fears and frustration, making an already stressful life in this competitive world ridden with insane rat race, more frustrating. Even young children are not spared. I have seen parents pushing their wards into all sorts of coaching, hobby, language, music, sports etc classes on one single day to match up to the expectations of an increasingly demanding crazy world. No wonder mental peace, contentment, serenity and sanity go for a toss.

Now that does not mean one should not acquire multiple skills or literally stick to one task at a time. The point is that efficiency, effort, endeavour and output suffer when one attempts to handle too many jobs together. And chaos and clumsiness cannot be ruled out. My literary work would lack depth, profundity or appeal if I attempt to, say, compose three poems on three different themes and genres for different literary platforms on a single day. Undivided attention, single minded devotion and focussed approach alone can produce desired results which could be sorely missing on a cluttered work station or a choc-o-bloc overwhelming day.

Each morsel of food has to be eaten one by one unless you don’t mind choking. Each twig has to be carried solo by the birdie to weave it into a perfect nest. On a lighter note there are ninety nine percent chances I will either burn my fingers or burn food with all four gas burners on! The trick is to prioritise tasks.

Work, I believe, must be a delightful activity than a cumbersome task performed unwillingly or half-heartedly under compelling conditions. To achieve perfection and satisfaction therefore, find a shorter, faster way which is….One Grain Of Sand, One Task At A Time.

Manpreet Chadha