We all do it. We obsess over the size of the task in front of us. Or we fixate on the end result. But there is wisdom in focusing instead on each action needed to get there. Sure, this might sound a bit like an Instagram motivational quote, but it’s an idea steeped in the wisdom of philosophers so ancient that they never once ran out of phone battery.
In China, Laozi counselled people that: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Meanwhile, Hindu scriptures stress the importance of focusing on our actions rather than on the fruits of our actions. Likewise, the Greek philosopher Epictetus urged people that “if you wish to be a writer, write”.
Staying focused on individual, practical tasks has been the subject of exquisitely reasoned credos from thinkers whose names have rung down the ages.
Faced with a problem, many of us will have been advised by friends and family to stop worrying and just take it step by step. Desmond Tutu perhaps put it most vividly when he said there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.
As with many truths and words of wisdom, this general idea has arguably been diminished by its ubiquity. We hear variations of this message so often that we fail to properly register how powerful it is – much less abide by it.
We could all benefit from breaking down daunting tasks into individual actions – both practical and mental – and treating each of those steps as a goal in itself. Focusing on each action can remove the fear of facing up to a task, making it more achievable. That’s one reason why productivity gurus recommend that people visualise the process of working on something rather than thinking about the outcome.
Studies have shown that people can spend almost half of their day with their mind wandering into thoughts of the future or things other than what they’re currently doing – and that the more we do it, the less happy we are. Approaching things one action at a time can therefore also make tasks more enjoyable. Let’s face it, life is a journey, not a tick-list of accomplishments. Obsessing about your destination can rob you of the thrill of the ride.
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