Manage the Moment

Do What You Can Do Now

Every now and then I go through what I call my “overwhelmed stage”. Suddenly I’m facing deadlines, obligations, professional demands and those self-imposed. Most women can relate to not having enough hours in the day to do it all! As we continually “multi-task” it’s no wonder we are constantly trying to juggle all the balls coming at us at the same time. It seems no matter what I’m doing, I’m doing something else at the same time or my mind is off somewhere considering the options necessary to handle the next activity. I read while on the treadmill, I’m on the phone while preparing dinner, I’m checking off items on my to-do list while parked at a stop light, folding clothes while watching a tv movie, or thinking of future tasks I need to finish. This endless cycle keeps spiraling round and round.

A few weeks ago, however, I experienced an “ah ha” feeling while reading long distance runner Stu Mittleman’s book about how to go the distance in running and in life. There staring at me off the page was his simple yet profound message, “manage the moment”. That’s it? That’s it!

Manage the moment. Stay exactly where you are. Place no focus on anything just past or anything yet to occur. Stay on task one moment at a time. Do what you can do, now. Finish what you can complete, now.

Know that that is okay. Recently I’ve been staying present. And you know what I’m experiencing? Being present is being in control. It works for me! It can work for you, too.