Confessions of a Plate Spinner
Something to try (from Scene 3). . . Catch yourself trying to do two things at once and slow down instead. [1] Caught! Earlier today, I was in a ZOOM Session, doing a load of laundry, writing out a “to-do” list with my right hand while turning pages in a book with my left. Absolutely insane! The worst part of these scenarios is when the person says “In your breakout rooms, you will. . .” Because the mind wasn’t focused completely on the content given, part of the instructions were lost. David Rock referred to this as “partial attention”. This happened. I am not proud of it, because deep inside I do not feel that the purpose of my life is to DO more, and I really want to be a person who gives themselves fully to fewer things, not spin so many plates. It is a goal of mine that I am slowly but surely making progress in. I am grateful for the Spirit’s work over the course of time. Unfortunately, in the past I have justified this state of “doing”, mentally rehearsing the lines “it is just the stage of life I am in” (especially when I was a mom of three teenage girls) or “it is just one of those weeks”.
I agree with the author, working in a constant state of multitasking can be exhausting. The desire to be efficient with time and resources is real. As I read, I appreciated the tips for prioritizing, which engages my system two thinking. I prioritize constantly, determining which task needs to be taken care of and in which order throughout the day. However, I question the drive to be efficient. Efficiency and productivity are task-oriented as well as motivating. Efficiency, for efficiency’s sake, can keep me from looking at the big picture. On the other hand, prioritizing slows me down and causes me to take a wider view, looking at activities of the day and seeing how the ripple effects impact the outcome of the day. I challenge the thought of doing more efficiently. I don’t believe being efficient is unsatisfactory, but I often wonder. . . Is it possible that we (me) are doing too much in the first place?
Dr. David Rock described the basal ganglia’s appetite for patterns and how “once you repeat a pattern often enough, the basal ganglia can drive the process, freeing up the stage for new functions. . . the more you use a pattern, the less attention you will need to pay to doing this task, and the more you will be able to do at one time.” [2] When I read about the brain’s work, it affirmed some of my work patterns of prioritizing and categorizing tasks in my day, and it also provided clarity about why I do some of the things I do. But it also made me question. . . While freeing up space for new functions sounds appealing and definitely doable, is it right for me to bank on that basal ganglia space to be able to do more, or do more at the same time. Dr. Rock’s suggestion of something to try “Catching myself trying to do multiple things at once with the intention to slow down” [3] is so desirable yet seems so far from reality at this point, and on many days. However, as I read Edwin Friedman’s book, A Failure of Nerve, the idea of caring for the leader’s own self as a process of “going up” [4] I reconsider how caring for my own self could change in light of this new learning. Maybe the strategies for overcoming distraction, regaining focus, and working smarter, are ways that I can do less more effectively.
I have really pushed the limitations of my brain, my poor brain. As I read, “Emily has discovered that there is a limit not just to how much information you can hold at once, but also to what you can do with that information at any time. Try to push past this limit, and something will give, which tends to be accuracy or quality. With so much to do every day, Emily needs to rewire her brain so she is more efficient at juggling multiple tasks without affecting her performance.”[5] I felt like the name “Emily” could have been substituted with “Cathy”. This is a simple confession of a recovering plate spinner.
[1] David Rock, Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2020), 44.
[2] Ibid, 40.
[3] Ibid, 44.
[4] Edwin H. Friedman and Peter Steinke, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix (10th Anniversary, Revised Edition) (New York: Church Publishing Incorporated, 2017), 61.
[5 ] Ibid, 33.
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei serves as an instructional leader and pastor with over 27 years in education and ministry. She is dedicated to discipling others as they grow in their relationship with God, others and the world. Cathy has facilitated numerous professional development sessions, trainings, and workshops in both education and ministry. Passionate about supporting others in uncovering the Creator's design within them, Cathy lives in Michigan with her husband, Steve, and their eight-year-old Springer Spaniel, Otis. Cathy is a mother of three daughters and "Gooma" (grandma) to two adorable grandsons (emphasis on adorable 😊). She enjoys listening and exchanging laughter and stories with others, hanging out with friends, both old and new, as well as being outdoors, enjoying activities such as cycling, camping, hiking, and kayaking.12 responses to “Confessions of a Plate Spinner”
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I think we all can identify with what you’re expressing, Cathy. Too many plates spinning and “something will give, which tends to be accuracy or quality.” Most of all, I appreciate your courage to ask the question, “Is it possible that we (me) are doing too much in the first place?” This takes me back to our sending church in Illinois. One of their core values is “Radically resisting busyness and hurry” and it is a beautiful thing to see a church live that out.
I guess that brings me to my question for you or whomever else happens to read this comment. What would it look like to apply some of these principles we’re learning not only to ourselves as leaders but to our churches or organizations where we serve? Prioritizing and focusing instead of multitasking? Living as a non-anxious presence? Slow thinking? Front stage vs. back stage? The list could go on.
Kim,
I think so much of this applies. . . especially encouraging others to consider living a non-anxious presence and evaluating the areas of their life that may not be aligning with a rule of life that they have.
This may be a bit random but stick with me.
My eye caught a New York Times article this morning titled “What is the Ideal Retirement Age for Your Health?” (Perhaps this interest in retirement is indicative of my own exhaustion?) In this piece, a little tidbit jumped out:
“Life span and health-span are also not consistent across race and gender, both because of the type of work certain demographics are more likely to take part in and the toll chronic stress from discrimination takes on the body.”
Here is the tie in for me: if chronic stress from discrimination can reduce the longevity of our careers, can the length of our careers also be reduced by the chronic stress associated with multitasking?
I think so. . . the chronic stress of multitasking may contribute to burn out and early retirements for so many vocation paths.
You and I could go together on America’s Got Talent with our plate spinning gig. Not sure what to name us quite yet, but I’ll add that to my to-do list and get to ASAP.
By the way, I think we would win – if not, we’d get some laughs from Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell.
I have been a long time student of productivity hacks and tips. I read lots of books on time-management and “getting things done” (David Allen’s GTD methodology). In the end, I come down to a few simple, important things:
1. Make a list.
2. Do the most important, and biggest thing first.
3. Do only that until it’s done, then move to the next.
4. Cross it off the list in order to get the endorphin benefit!
And yet, I keep trying to multi-task to my detriment! This was a helpful book to read, and so was your post Cathy!
Ha, ha John!
I go through seasons and cycles, it seems, when the plate spinning is more intense. Holy Week seems to be a week when I feel this tension all the more. I’m sure all of my pastor friends in our cohort relate. 🙂.
You wrote…Dr. Rock’s suggestion of something to try “Catching myself trying to do multiple things at once with the intention to slow down” sounds practical to me.
I tried to do this yesterday working on the “big rocks” in my life first. God, Bible study…in short getting my spiritual life on track. Then I skipped the email deluge and went right to my NPO. Spent some quality time there.
Sadly, in my joy at working on the big stuff sequentially (taking my eyes of my calendar) I missed two zoom calls. Yikes. I am getting senile.
Rocks book provides some practical tips that I am trying to absorb (those things that work for me).
I am enjoying the class as we climb onto the dance floor with our brain. This class is introducing new dance steps and ways of moving. At first I found it uncomfortable. I claimed my boomership as a right to be rigid. Now I am becoming millenialist (talking about my FEELINGS). In short, a great class.
Shalom…Russ
The “big rocks”, prayer and time with the Lord, are non-negotiables, they are not included in any list. . . They are as breath, a regular rhythm of the day.
I’m happy to see that you are enjoying the dance rhythms that are being introduced to your brain through this class.
From one recoverying plate spinner to another, I realized the plate spinning seemed to be a badge of honor for me as an Enneagram 3. Although I don’t live in regret, I do realize I haven’t served my mind well over the years, or my relationships. I’m thankful that God’s mercies are new and fresh every morning and that I can continue to grow in this.
I’m curious as to what you have implemented to lessen a few of your plates, or at least how you’ve managed to take more intentional time with each plate?
I am an enneagram 2, the helper, Plate spinning is helping, right. Not necessarily. Thank you Lord for your mercies that are new every morning and the resurrecting that you do in each of us.
To eliminate some plates, I have to regularly evaluate and prioritize the plates that are begin spun by asking: 1). Is this a plate to drop, share or put back on the shelf? 2). If shared, how can this plate be shared?
“it is just the stage of life I am in”… I said that for years, or something like it (“it’s just a season” was a favorite). Until I realized it was and wasn’t true at the same time.
Was: Yes, every season is different and it’s good to recognize this.
Wasn’t: We will never finally get to that elusive place where everything slows down (well, until death). My biggest revelation with that was talking to a retired couple one day and them telling me they are somehow more busy than they were when they were working.
So I’m trying to not wait for the next season anymore. I’m really working at not multitasking and intentionally letting some plates drop. And I’m finding out it’s not the kind of end of the world scenario I thought it would be when it happens.
I like the plate spinner analogy. I also love that you put the plates down…how in the world do you keep from picking them back up?