Mute the phone – The Hindu

Of late, I feel juggling tasks has become deeply ingrained in us, as we do multiple things at the same time. Whether it’s listening to a video while reading through the comments, watching our favourite show on TV while navigating players in the six-inch mobile game field or nodding to a live conversation while reacting with emojis on chat, there are numerous things that affect our ability to concentrate.

I too faced this challenge to a point where I needed to turn my earpods on before reaching the kitchen hob. And every few minutes, a notification, an ad, a song swap would invite my attention, making a 15-minute job blow up to 30 minutes, with a less than satisfactory output. When this habit continued, I decided to put an end to it and tested a hypothesis with the result being what I call “The Gulab Jamun Effect”.

It was a Thursday and I had a craving for sweets. As I reached for my earpods, the thought of testing my ability to stay present without external distractions made me put them aside. I headed to the kitchen and started kneading the dough and set it to rest. I heated the oil and made the sugar syrup rather than pause to take a quick notification-check break.

I indulged in the process so much that I noticed even the tiniest cracks on the balls I made and smoothened out the dough. The only time I felt the urge to check my phone was during frying, but those beautiful golden-brown balls held me right there. Once they were all done, the intensity of my admiration for those perfect, spongy jamuns had overtaken any need to check my phone. Though this isn’t my first attempt, I am extremely satisfied to have found a pro tip to make the perfect gulab jamun: Mindfulness.

Yes, when we take up one task at a time, gather our focus back even when distractions pop in, and admire and enjoy the process, the outcome can be excellent. Focus brings in clarity; with clarity comes creativity, creativity leads to ideas and ideas to opportunities, eventually ending in satisfaction. The process is a reminder that staying in the moment offers the best chance for dedicated action.

So challenge yourself to do at least one task a day mindfully, be it a conversation, a household routine or a work assignment and slowly see the magic of the present unfold.

indhuja.nagarajan@gmail.com