The ability to multitask—a gift and a curse

I was sitting on a ratty couch in the living room of our two-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of town. It was sophomore year at Hillsdale College, a small and staunchly independent liberal arts school in southern Michigan. Chances are I was supposed to be studying. I mean, I was studying, sort of. At least there was a book open at my side.

My roommate Joe had returned to our residence and looked at me with a bewildered face. Then the laughter started.

“What the hell are you doing?” he roared.

“Uh . . . reading?” which was as much of a question as an answer.

There I was, ensconced in a pile of remote controls, instruments, and booming bass. A flick of the wrist and I could play another set of downs on Madden ’96. Or I could flip up the old Yamaha six-string from my lap into my arms and jam. Or finger through another page to skim Alvin Plantinga’s Warrant and Proper Function for the sociology class in which I was destined to earn an “incomplete.”

I’ve never had much of an attention span, nor do I often obsess over a single idea for very long. Typically, my brain is a hodgepodge of action, ideas, and emotions ranging from how I’m holding a TIG torch to conceptualizing the next sculpture to anxiety regarding an ever-uncertain future.

I get bored easily. I can focus only for short periods of time on things that don’t interest me. I forget details. I fidget in classrooms. Seriously, look up the criteria for the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Those are all on there, amongst others. Come on, that’s not a sickness, or a “disorder.” Isn’t it just one type of personality? Maybe, pushed to its extreme ends, there should be medical or mental treatment; but if I’m to believe my Facebook and Twitter timelines, then 95 percent of my friends are ill. Inevitably I’ll come across one of them posting an article with a headline similar to “Only People Who Suffer from ADHD Will Get This,” or “Things Only Those Who Struggle With ADHD Will Understand,” or “Identify With These 15 Things and You Fight with ADHD.” It’ll get linked with a comment like, “Yup, that’s me!” or “Finally someone gets it!” Yeah, I totally get it! You’re suffering from the condition known as being human.

Times have changed. We live in the Information Age. The Stimulation Age. And while it can be mind-numbing, intimidating, unnerving . . . everything you’ve ever wanted to know, do, see, and be is all at your fingertips. And how do you take advantage of all that potential? Well, not by making excuses. And not by specializing. Not by fitting into a box. Not by wearing a single hat. Think of how much would pass you by if your focus were singular and unwavering.

When I’m out in the shop creating a sculpture, I’m texting, interacting with friends and fans on social media, searching the Internet for subject information (or the score of the Tigers game), and posting about my progress. It keeps me engaged with the world and the world discovers me. I’m always, always multitasking.

There’s a reason I do only one-off pieces. Production is boring. Give me unique; give me prototype every day of the week. Is it wrong to be distracted by a daydream? Our lives are driven by dreams. And my dreams are always evolving. If a thing can’t keep my attention, that means another thing has stolen it. If I’m hyperactive, it means that thing has captured it.

I dropped out of college. It isn’t for me, or at least it wasn’t at that time. I’ve worked on a paint line, in construction, in restaurants, and as a writer. I’ve been a mechanic, teacher, artist, and millwright.

We’ve been told since childhood that we need to set singular goals. We need to be a lawyer, or an engineer, or a fabricator, or [insert specific career choice here]. Emilie Wapnick put together a terrific TED talk along these lines—what’s wrong with being a cobbler/psychologist who also practices law?

There are no limits, and life is too short to be forced into a box. Learn a trade, study art, write a book! Last year I read about Charles Lindbergh flying across the Atlantic, and this year I’m taking flying lessons.

Experience life and force the issue if need be. Do something that excites your senses. Listen, I’m not saying that all learned focus is bad. The ability to concentrate and pay attention to detail is a valuable tool. The reality is that most of us play the game somewhere in the middle, with hyperfocus to the left and complete inattention to the right. Channel your strengths, and don’t believe for a second that you’re not a healthy individual.