My productivity depends on one thing, and only one thing: the freedom and ability to do more than one task simultaneously.  For me to complete a painting, I need to sketch while listening to music, munch on something, do the laundry, play a video game, wash the dishes, go back to my painting, start dinner preps in the kitchen, chat a bit online, play with the dog then resume my artwork.

That’s just the way I work.

To others, it looks totally unproductive. One can only imagine how I was perceived when I worked in a more structured environment.

By day’s end, I get the job done. Not just one, but I get all things done — on time There is a huge difference in fragmented attention but getting absolutely nothing done.  To force me to sit down and focus on only one activity is a recipe for disaster.  Not only will I be resentful and bored, but I will be unproductive because my brain stalls that way.

When I’m done with my painting, the washing machine bell goes off, I throw a tray in the heated oven, fold the laundry, and  put the finishing touches to dinner as the I hear my hubby click his key at the door.

And while everything is happening in a flurry of activity, I simply turn into this:

This is what I look like: “The Multi-Tasker”