January 18, 2024 by Sahiba Jassal (‘24)
In the magic show of life in today’s world, where time is the grand maestro of tricks, the great spectacle of multitasking takes the stage. We, the unsuspecting magicians in this chaotic performance, are convinced that taking on a multitude of tasks simultaneously is a coveted skill to be admired- like a rabbit in a hat. But, dear SSHS students and staff, let Sahiba lead you to glimpse beyond the shiny red curtain and reveal the falsities of multitasking.
We as a society believe we can lift 220 pounds, reply to love letters, and create world peace all while mastering the art of pencil wiggling. (All of which I do on a daily basis by the way.) In reality though, multitasking is nothing more than a tacky card trick: promising magic but then disappointing not only ourselves, but everyone watching. As we try to simultaneously balance homework, extracurriculars, jobs, and college applications on a planet with a mere 24 hours in a day, we find ourselves constantly sprinting to achieve excellence, and irrevocably face planting into mediocrity- or dare I say… failure.
The mere existence of the word “multitasking” creates an illusion that makes us believe we can do anything. Yet, the more we try to master this impossible trick of multitasking, the more we find ourselves digging ourselves deeper into a hole we didn’t even know we were in. Now I’m not shaming you! Lord knows Sahiba has tried her hand at multitasking… and failed… every time. No, I see the allure. Multitasking makes us believe we are in control. I love to be in control. I have three essays to write and only one hour before the due date of 11:59pm? No problem- I’ll just multitask! (Just an example. I’ve never done that, of course.) But did I end up getting those essays in on time? You bet I didn’t!
So, my devoted readers, let us burst forth from the prison that multitasking convinced us was a home. In this world of multitaskers we, Saratoga Springs citizens, can rise up like cream to the top and become taskers. It is time to start just… tasking.