During my college years, like Hermione Granger with her time-turner, I would pride myself on the self-perception that I could juggle projects, organizations, jobs and coursework all at once. Highlighted in the top left skills section of my resume would be the words, “keen ability to multi-task.”

Then too many years later and 10-weeks away from the office, Miss Rory provided a heavy dose of “Let’s get real, mom.” AND she hasn’t even learned to talk yet!

I believed maternity leave would equate to many books on innovation read, a refresher brand management course completed on edx.org, and time to get into tiptop shape, all the while, taking care of a perfectly unneedy newborn.

I laugh at delusional myself.

Maternity leave was hard. Harder than hard. A chapter of an innovation book was read. I nearly got my password correct to sign-in to edx.org. My body took on a different shape… more like plip plop. And through many tearful, phone calls with my coach (aka my mom) via speaker phone, I learned to let go of my multi-tasking mask and give my undivided attention to my beautiful daughter. Rory wanted all of me. And when I gave her that, I became a better mom and a better all-around Jackie.

Shooting off emails during a cross functional meeting. Thinking about the next project when a direct report is asking a question. Vertically scrolling through Instagram while listening to a conference call while also going through the drive-thru at Chick-fil-a. Having a side conversation when the agency (or client) is on mute. Guilty. Guilty of doing it all horribly well.

It’s funny. Us humans. We think ourselves master multi-taskers. Yet 1 in 4 car crashes are caused by cellphone use and driving. And, to be honest, I have been on one too many phone calls that “hung up” while un-muting.

Devoting our attention and intention to one thing at a time is key. When we do so, I believe we are more potent and efficient. And as we practice said things, we get swifter at shifting gears from one event to next. There’s even a great NPR podcast about it.

Rather than say we’re good at multi-tasking, perhaps we should take a step back, reframe and be intentional with our time. Let’s let go of the multi-tasker myth, and give our best to each person, moment and transition.