I used to be so proud of my ability to multitask, but the longer I live the more I believe that successful multitasking is largely a myth. I can do one job really well, or two jobs halfway, but studies are showing we don’t really do two things at once- we just rapidly/constantly switch back and forth between tasks – and that switching is really tiring for our brains! (Google “multitasking is a myth” to see lots of interesting articles, and even try some tests proving the inefficiency of switching!).

Because of this, we don’t allow our harvest crew to text/use social media while they work. We don’t let our kids have a movie on while they’re trying to do homework. These completely common sense decisions are easy to make, and you likely have more examples in your own world of incompatible activities that you don’t allow to happen…. but what about multitasking when you rest?! I’ve been so guilty of “resting” with my family but keeping my phone on/nearby just in case a florist or a bride or wholesaler needs me in the evening.

I’ve fallen into the trap of deciding that “resting” meant not physically working hard but instead doing the accounting for our business on my day off in my jammies. Now I know we have to hustle when starting a business. There’s just a certain amount of “doing all the things” that’s essential. But for your health’s sake, for your family and other significant relationships’ sake, set aside dedicated, complete rest time as soon as you can.

Even a few wholly-resting hours a day are possible at the beginning. Put your phone aside, and sit quietly. Don’t listen to the siren-song of social media when your body stops moving: still yourself and pray or meditate for a few moments. This whole-resting is essential to sanity when you’re working so hard to get things off the ground!