When you are overwhelmed by complexity, come back to the one thing you are doing. You can’t really do more than one thing at a time in any event. No matter how fast your mind is racing, there is just this present moment. There is no other time. There is no other place to be. There is nothing else to be doing. Just this. When this one thing is done, you will do the next thing, and that will be the only thing there is.
— The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes
So simple. So true, in both photography and in life. When the world threatens to overwhelm, focus in on one thing. This moment, this action, this detail, and the complexity collapses down.
I’m looking toward overwhelm. Not this very moment, but in September when I have some pretty big things all happening in less than two weeks of each other: My brother is getting married in Colorado on the 15th, I’m participating in the Corvallis Fall Festival on the 22nd-23rd, and then I leave for England to teach my on-location workshops on the 25th. Deep breath. OK, what to do? I take the advice I read in The Practice of Contemplative Photography
It’s amazing what focusing on one thing brings. My PrintMania! weekend is a good example. I focused on printing over the weekend, and wow, here I am pretty much ready for the festival. That doesn’t mean that’s all I did… I still went back-to-school shopping with my son, visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gordon House (more on that later), enjoyed a nice afternoon on the deck of a Bavarian restaurant reminiscing about Oktoberfest with my family, and finished a book. But when I chose to focus on the “to do” list, I focused on one big thing and got an amazing amount done.
I think that’s really why I’m productive – I can focus. I don’t believe that “multitasking” makes us more productive. The idea that you can do more than one thing at once distracts us. How often do you stop doing something to read an email only to go back to your original task, trying to figure out where you were? Distractions and interruptions waste time, and ideas. If you start and stop, especially with creative projects, you lose the string of ideas and inspiration.
If you want to do something well, and quickly, you need to focus on that one thing. The better the focus, the better the outcome. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t do many very different things in the grand scheme. I certainly do! I just do them serially, one at a time. It’s how I manage to work at my corporate job as an engineer, create new classes for Kat Eye Studio, practice my own art and enjoy time with my family. I don’t try to do them all at once. I focus on the one thing that needs to be focused on, in that moment. It’s all I really can do anyway, as the quote above reminds me.
Are you struggling with overwhelm? Are you facing a crazy period of time, like my upcoming September, and wondering how you will manage? The answer really is as simple as this: Do one thing at a time, and focus on that one thing, until it is done. Then move on to the next thing.
Such good advice, and so true! Do one thing really well and get it done, or do many mediocre, feel crazy and maybe not finish anything with clarity. Yep, I choose the first one! ; )
This is just what I needed at just this moment! I’m completely stressing out because I’m shooting my very first solo wedding in less than two weeks. I’m feeling very overwhelmed and unsure of myself. I’m printing this out and will keep reading it!
Thanks Kat!
You can do it. Deep breaths!
Kat, that is such good and true advice. It is good to be reminded that while many things may be wanted from us or even by us we really only can do one thing at a time.
I needed this reminder. I’m good at the focus on one thing when it comes to work – but I often forget it with the rest of my life.
I found the same thing Jamie! I was organized and focused at work but never quite applied the same effort to outside of my corporate job. It’s amazing the shift when I finally did!
Great post, Kat — such an important message! I had to laugh as I was reading it, though, because I had just been multi-tasking like crazy, trying to attend to the needs of my three year old grandson, as his little brother, the crawler, scooted around the house, getting into all sorts of trouble. Then there was the potty accident, the tail pulling incident — all the while trying to get breakfast organized and the boys fed. Whew! Babysitting for the grandboys is a challenge for this nonna!
But I totally agree that doing one thing at time really is much more productive and promotes a sense of calm. I’m sure you’ll handle your September challenges with confidence and ease.
OK, so maybe there are some times where you just can’t focus… Your description makes me smile!
I saw your post title in my reader and had to click…this was a post I needed to read. I’m having one of those hectic time periods right now and needed this reminder – the timing was perfect. Thank you! Beautiful photographs!
You are most welcome! Thank you too, for the lovely comment.
I love the quotation taken from “The Practice of Contemplative Photography” and I’m impressed with the way you are making this work in your own life! Well done for the calm organization of your busy month of September!
I wish I could join you in England for your on-location workshop, but I’ve already been to my home country once this year!
It’s so wonderful to come back to this present moment when we feel overwhelmed. It does take the stress out of worrying about a million things at once! Just breathing deeply and coming back to the Now. Perfect!
I like the photo of the two fluffy heads!
Oh, I so wish you could join us in England! Hopefully you can next time I come.
Oh so very true! We all need this reminder. Multi-tasking is so seductive. I will be working on taking a few deep breaths and focusing on one thing at a time. Thanks Kat. Your posts are always so insightful.
Thanks so much for this Kat. September is a month of overwhelm for me as well…Rather than just counting down to Oct 1st I rather approach things with a bit more zen. Your post was just what I needed!
Such great advice and this is so true. Have you ever read the POWER OF NOW? Such a great book. know you will successfully enjoy and complete September by following this!