Waiting Mode: The Curse of the Monotasker!

Summary

In this episode of 'Asperger's from the Inside,' Paul discusses the concept of 'waiting mode,' a common phenomenon where individuals find themselves with idle time but feel unable to start any productive activity due to upcoming commitments. He explores the challenges of this mindset, particularly for those who are monotaskers, and offers strategies to overcome it, such as acting on instinct, taking proactive steps to resolve minor obstacles, and planning for delays in collaboration. Paul invites viewers to share their experiences with this feeling and seeks to foster a community discussion on managing waiting mode effectively.

Takeaways

• 😌 'Waiting Mode' is a phenomenon where one feels they have a bit of time but not enough to start a new task before the next scheduled activity.
• 🕒 The speaker relates 'Waiting Mode' to having 15 minutes before needing to leave the house but not enough time for a full power nap or another task.
• 🔄 It's a product of monotasking, where the speaker takes time to get into the 'groove' of a task and dislikes switching tasks abruptly.
• 🚫 The speaker finds it frustrating to start an activity only to be interrupted by the need to switch to another task as per their schedule.
• 📚 Suggestions to overcome 'Waiting Mode' include not starting a book or meditation if there's insufficient time to enjoy them without interruption.
• 🛠️ The speaker often finds themselves unable to start longer projects due to missing items or prerequisites that require other tasks to be completed first.
• 🤝 In work scenarios, the speaker may be waiting on correspondence or collaboration with others, which can lead to a feeling of being stuck.
• 🔄 To manage 'Waiting Mode', the speaker suggests giving oneself permission to act on instinct, even if it means being slightly late.
• 🏃‍♂️ Another strategy is to take immediate action to overcome obstacles, such as going out to get a needed item rather than waiting for it to become available.
• ⏰ Planning and being aware of the time it takes for others to respond can help in managing expectations and reducing the feeling of waiting.
• 🤔 The speaker invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences with 'Waiting Mode' and shares curiosity about whether it's a relatable concept.

Q & A

What is the phenomenon called 'waiting mode' as described in the video?

Waiting mode is a feeling where you have some time, but not enough to start a new task before you need to move on to the next scheduled activity. It results in a sense of idleness and frustration as you can't effectively utilize the available time.

Why does the speaker feel frustrated when they have a short amount of time before their next task?

The speaker feels frustrated because they are a monotasker, meaning they need time to get into the groove of a task. Starting a new activity only to be interrupted by the next task is frustrating for them.

What is the speaker's approach to dealing with the frustration of waiting mode?

The speaker suggests giving oneself permission to do things on instinct, such as taking a short power nap or completing a small task, even if it means being slightly late for the next scheduled activity.

Why does the speaker dislike multitasking in the context of waiting mode?

The speaker dislikes multitasking because it interrupts their focus on a single task. They prefer to complete one task fully before moving on to the next, rather than starting multiple tasks and not being able to finish any.

What is an example of a longer task that the speaker finds themselves unable to start due to waiting mode?

An example given is repotting a plant at home, which the speaker can't start because they lack necessary items like gardening gloves or potting mix, and they feel they need to complete other tasks first to acquire these items.

How does the speaker feel about being late for events or appointments?

The speaker admits that being late used to affect them more than it affected others. They have learned to give themselves permission to do things on instinct, even if it means being a few minutes late.

What is the speaker's strategy for dealing with tasks that require waiting on others?

The speaker suggests planning these tasks in advance and accepting that there will be a delay. They recommend working on other projects during the waiting period to make productive use of the time.

How does the speaker feel about the concept of multitasking as opposed to waiting mode?

The speaker prefers multitasking, where they can switch tasks when faced with a delay, rather than being stuck in waiting mode where they feel unable to start anything productive.

What is the speaker's advice for those who find themselves stuck in waiting mode?

The speaker advises to take action, such as going out to get needed items or planning to work on other projects during the waiting period, to regain a sense of control and productivity.

How does the speaker's experience with waiting mode relate to their work and collaborations?

The speaker finds themselves waiting on correspondence or collaboration with others for work projects, which can lead to a sense of being stuck. They suggest planning for these delays and working on other tasks in the meantime.