Being mindful - staying focused

It's funny to think that being mindful of what you are doing and focusing on the task at hand could be a green thing  but it truly is.  You see, I've discovered something about myself - I have the attention span of a flea.  Now, if I actually was a flea, that would be ok, but in a full size human being that's a recipe for disaster, and for waste.  I have noticed that, because I tend to get sidetracked, I forget things like putting leftovers in the freezer for future meals, making sure not to burn the rice (which I do everytime!) and planning to use up all the perishable food.  I am great at saving stuff to take to the recycling spots, but not so hot at getting it there as I never seem to be organized enough to get out the door.  If you saw the big batch of batteries I have to take in, you'd understand. It's been well over a year and I keep forgetting them, even when they are in my car.

If I was mindful of one task at a time, that wouldn't happen.  None of it would happen - except maybe the rice.  I just can't get that right.  I want to be more focused; to finish one task at a time so that each idea or line on my to do list is completed, instead of having a big list of half done stuff.  When you live like this, you leave little things undone and that's just not good stewardship of your resources. 

We are taught to multi-task and evidence is now showing that the human brain isn't wired to do thaty. I think women do this more than men. We try to get just one more thing done on top of the ones we've already started.  It's very zen to be mindful, and I can sure see how it could save me some money when I stop wasting stuff or buying duplicates because I've forgotten I already have certain things.

As for the rice, I think I might get a rice cooker and save those stovetop pans from permanent black burns.