Ever been thinking or daydreaming, and then realized some time later that whatever you were doing for the past X minutes, you were doing completely on autopilot?
I have.
It's most scary when I'm driving. You know, where you're driving for several miles and then realize that you haven't actually seen the road those past few minutes. Sure, your eyes may be staring straight ahead, your hands on 10:00 and 2:00 on the steering wheel (thanks Momma), and you look like the very model of a good driver, but in reality were a deer or small person to jump out in the middle of the road, your reactions would be slower than a lush having a really bad New Year's Eve.
Luckily it tends to happen most often when I'm forced to read something dry and technical. Like procedures at work or school textbooks (don't get me wrong, I find Supply Chain Management absolutely fascinating, but unfortunately Quality Management doesn't extend to considering that the customers of textbooks would love some humor once in awhile).
I'm always amazed when I realize that I've truly been multitasking with my mind for several minutes. I've heard of this strange phenomenon, that really smart people can be having a completely engaged conversation with you while solving complex physics problems in their heads.
But while I'm no slouch in the brains department (modesty is where I'm lacking, hee hee), I've never considered myself that intelligent. However, when I realize I've been simultaneously reading a book and thinking about all the laundry I need to do, and what I'm making for dinner tomorrow, etc etc, and I have still managed to retain the information I just read, I'm floored.
Go brain! Such a neat thing, really. I'm glad I have it.
Sorry, sorry, you can smack me with the droll ruler now.
More seriously however, how amazing is it that we can so effectively divide our brain power that way? Usually when I try to do it on purpose it's very difficult. But somehow I have no problem doing so if one of the tasks I'm doing is not very fun. I'm not talking just about the mundane multitasking, where you pretend to work when you're really goofing off or you're vacuuming while daydreaming about Hugh Jackman as Wolverine running around in a white tank, glorious hairy man-boobs protruding deliciously.
I'm speaking of the true multitasking, where you multitask inside your brain. I'd like to hear from you, fledgling followers. Does this happen to you?
5 comments:
I know exactly what you mean. I have the additional feature of having multitask conversations in my head set to MUSIC. Usually whatever tune I have trapped in my head at that moment. Currently it's the Beatles - 'Across the Universe'. "Ja Garu Deja Om...Nothings gonna change my world. Nothings gonna change my world". I get into a rhythm and I can work a multitude of tasks...that is until I have to pee and my rhythm is broken.
I shouldn't even comment because you know I can do this. It bugs me kinda. Can't I ever just be in the damn moment??
And thanks Cal! Now I have that song stuck in my head while I go about my day. Love me some Beatles.
Music is key. But sometimes that song in your head syndrome can be MADDENING.
I probably only can do it because you can :)
My brain is always going, a lovely thing until bed time when IT KEEPS ON GOING.
I enjoy the odd space-out here and there. It's the only way I get a vacation most of the time!
Pearl
Better late than never to comment…
So true and I agree, scary at times. I do this a lot at work, I find myself off in my own world thinking away about my personal life, meanwhile I've been typing work emails and writing orders all day. Sometimes I think it's a miracle I still have a job! ;)
XOXO
Post a Comment