Today is the last installment of our "How to Give a Rip" series.  We've looked at why it's important for your character, how it can positively impact your personal and professional life, and how to guide yourself towards feeling more interested. Finally we will look at how dealing with one task at a time is the final trick in accomplishing your goal.

If you're just now joining us, check out Parts 1, 2, and 3 of this conversation.

Figure out a way to give a rip about whatever is in front of you.

...about whatever is in front of you.For several years now, multi-tasking has been championed as what busy people do to accomplish a lot of productive things at once. In truth, the research indicates the opposite: that multi-tasking is counter productive and causes tasks to take longer, be less efficient, or see a dip in quality. The vast majority are truly built to be "one thing at a time" people. Yet there is still this cultural draw to boast about being a "good multi-tasker" mostly because it makes you look really busy and important.Multi-tasking can also be so appealing when you're trying to just "get by" with your interest level. You can look like you're invested but still distract yourself with what you'd rather be doing. You're at your kids soccer game, but you're returning phone calls. You asked your wife how her day was, but you're listening while checking Facebook. (Hey-O! I guarantee I just stepped on somebody's toes! Call me!) You seem to be doing the "right" thing but you're not really invested...you're not really giving a rip.

Divided attention can really shoot you in the foot. Intentionally give yourself fully to the task in front of you at school, at work, at home, at church, at the ballpark.

Jim Elliot puts it this way, "Wherever you are, be all there."In the course of any given day, we all play multiple roles. Fight the urge to bring the task from this morning into the afternoon. Don't cook dinner thinking about your conversation with your coworker. Don't give a sit through the sermon at church thinking about the fight you had with your sister. The mental energy it takes to focus on two or more roles at once really removes you from the moment and you lose the potency that is possible by being fully present.

When you invest yourself fully in the relationship or task before you, a part of your character grows that you'll notice immediately, and so will others around you. And that's what learning how to "give a rip" is really all about: growing your own character so you can be the best "you" in all roles of life.

For more information about the counseling or coaching services at Spring Life Counseling, LLC or to schedule an appointment at our Baton Rouge, Denham Springs or Walker, Louisiana locations, shoot me an email.

Spring Life Counseling LLC