In a world where distractions are constant, I’ve come to see “notice” as a powerful call to action. When I intentionally focus on what I notice, I’m happier, my relationships are stronger, and my performance improves.
Recently, I had the privilege of sharing my passion for noticing with an audience of over 3,000 people. During my talk, I shared a confession: for years, I proudly wore the title of “multitasker.” I thought multitasking was a strength, a badge of honor.
But then I came across Dr. Amishi Jha’s research, which describes attention as a flashlight. We only get one flashlight, and it can only shine on one thing at a time. Multitasking, I learned, is actually task switching, and it comes with costs—slowed progress, more mistakes, and emotional exhaustion. Even more, I was missing connections because I was too busy task-switching my way through life.
Now, I’m all about single-tasking. I’ll admit, I’m far from perfect, and there are times when multitasking feels unavoidable. Still, I try to protect certain times in the day for a few essential things:
- Savoring the Good: A walk outdoors, a good cup of coffee, music that lifts me up—these moments become more meaningful when I notice and savor them.
- Getting into Flow: There’s something powerful about immersing fully in a task, and allowing myself to get lost in the joy of creating and problem-solving.
- Connecting with Others: By being fully present, whether personally or professionally, I foster more meaningful connections.
Being intentional in noticing truly helps optimize my happiness, relationships, and performance.
Permission to Change
Another theme I shared during my talk is the importance of giving ourselves permission to change. Change isn’t easy, and it often carries an emotional toll. But when we grant ourselves this permission, we can approach improvement as an ongoing journey—not about “being good enough” but about becoming even better. Small, consistent changes can lead to powerful growth.
It is easy to be hard on ourselves, often holding ourselves to impossibly high standards. By practicing self-compassion, we can continue to grow without the weight of unrealistic expectations.
Here’s a simple exercise to try: Think about something you can start or stop doing. What permission can you give yourself? Here are a few of my recent “permission slips”:
- To prioritize joy and focus on fun.
- To put my phone in focus mode and be fully present.
- To notice the good around me.
Take a moment to reflect. What permission would help you create space for growth, connection, or joy?
Option for Action: Creating Savoring Rituals
If you’d like to begin your own savoring ritual, check out the On my resources page, you will find the free Guided Gratitude Practices Booklet that includes a step-by-step (on page 5) for bringing savoring into your busy life. Small steps like these can help us bring more joy and presence into our life. Enjoy noticing.
With gratitude,
Lainie
Photo Credit: Julien Bachelet