I understany my limitations. I cannot multitask. I cannot handle different issues at the same time, either completing them well or even at all. When I am faced with a series of problems, I cannot manage these obstacles or responsibilities at the same time.

Simultaneous actions – to me – are not a means of efficiency. They are not time savers – for me. Ultimately, they only lead me to make mistakes, overlook either small or important elements, and ultimately perform suboptimally.

Am I getting cold? Did I get stung? Are the tidal flows too strong? Am I well hydrated? Do I feel a twinge in my shoulder? Is my back sore? Is the pace too fast – or too slow? Are my goggles fogging? Is fatigue becoming a factor?

All these alarm bells can go off in my head – at the same time. I can panic with fear or stress – or I can fall back and deal with one issue at a time, a process that best suits my personality.

I am reminded of an old Special Forces story about a soldier who is sitting in a helicopter, parked on the airfield, waiting to take off.  The young man was suffering from a significant lack of sleep, so he quickly fell fast asleep.  His slumber was so deep that he didn’t hear the rest of the crew packing gear into the hospital and completing the final deployment procedures.

Meanwhile, the helicopter pilot was seated in the front, testing all the onboard systems.  He hit the alarm button that signaled time for ejection in case of emergencies. The loud, piercing sounds startled the soldier, waking him up from a deep sleep. 

His training immediately kicked in and he jumped out of the helicopter – that was still parked on the tarmac.  The soldier went flying out of the helicopter, as he was trained, but knocked himself out as he hit the concrete tarmac hard.  He was out cold, sprawled on the ground.

His colleagues came to his aid. When he came to, the pilot angrily asked him, “What the hell were you thinking? Why did you do that?”

“Sir, I thought we were under attack and going to crash,” he answered.

Shaking his head, the pilot retorted, “But why did you jump out of the helicopter like that without your parachute?” 

The young soldier said, “One problem at a time, sir.“

I know that I cannot solve all problems at once, but try to work out issues like this one soldier – one problem at a time. I can break down larger or multifaceted issues down into smaller, more manageable pieces while setting priorities and focusing on one responsibility at a time.

Photo above shows Oceans Seven swimmer Andy Donaldson in the Tsugaru Channel.

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