There’s a secret to increasing meaning, learning, productivity, and happiness:
Don’t multitask.
With any negative statement, there lurks a positive. “Don’t X” implies “Do Y or Z”. Considering the two together bring more depth than either alone. In this case:
Be present wherever you are. Be doing whatever you are doing.
If you’re spending time with friends, be with friends (not on your cell phone).
If you’re answering emails, be answering emails (more importantly, if you’re not answering emails don’t be near your emails).
If you’re working on your creative project, be working on your creative project. Don’t get pulled away.
The real magic behind this is that focus is a force multiplier. Four hours spent on four things is FAR less than four blocks of one hour dedicated to each.
Be present in everything you do- the work, play, friends, and alone time, and reap the benefits of what you sow. Meaning and depth won’t come unless we create the immersion to allow for them.