Keep steady my steps according to Thy promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
Psalm 119:133
There is a saying “How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time.” I don’t know about you, but many times I feel overwhelmed with things to do. And I wonder seriously, and even with some degree of panic and anxiety, how am I going to get them all done? I have things on my schedule that I look forward to, and things that I dread. Overall, however, there is just an overwhelming stress of how it’s all going to get done. Anyone else feel that way? Here is one thing I try to do:
I focus on the smallest increment of time. I don’t focus on this year, this month, or even this week. I focus on today. I try to map out how today is going to go, what I can reasonably get accomplished. I know usually at the beginning of the day what is not going to get accomplished, and I accept that, instead of lamenting it. I choose to focus on what is reasonable and go from there. I also, of course, prioritize the things that have to get done on a given day and make sure those things get done.
Sometimes, however, even the day is too large of an increment, and this is true specifically on days when I’m not going to be in the office much—days when there are services or confessions or lots of appointments that are going to have me away from my desk. There are two thoughts here: First, I have learned (and it’s been a process of learning) to accept that tasks that are done at my desk, like writing, just can’t be done when I’m not at the desk—i.e. when I’m celebrating the Divine Liturgy, or hearing confession or visiting a hospital. When I’m away from my desk, I try (though I sometimes fail) to not think about the things on my desk, and to be present in whatever I’m doing. In other words, if I’m going to stand at the altar and celebrate Divine Liturgy for 2.5 hours (that includes Orthros, taking my vestments off after Liturgy, etc.) I’m committing to do nothing else during that time. I’ll block out other thoughts and just enjoy that time in the altar, I’ll be present for the service. If my body is in church but my mind is in the office, then literally nothing gets done. The office work doesn’t get done and I don’t really worship either. So the first thought is, be present in whatever you are doing.
The second thought is to divide the day up into units. So, we are not looking at an entire day. Instead look at an hour of the day, or an event of the day (a task, a conversation, etc.) and stay focused and present on the task at hand.
People who struggle with addictions, like alcohol or drugs, do not focus on not doing those things for the rest of their lives. That’s simply too long and too daunting of a task. Rather they work to not drink or use drugs TODAY. And they make that pledge every day, a day at a time. I’m not addicted to alcohol or drugs, but I constantly feel overwhelmed, no matter what I do. And to keep that feeling at bay, I focus on today, even a part of today.
I’ve always had a fascination with Mount Everest. I have no interest in climbing it or even seeing it in person. I do, however, enjoy reading books and watching documentaries about the tallest mountain in the world. I know from my reading and watching that high on the mountain, in what they call “the death zone,” the air is so thin that people can hardly breathe, and most need to use supplemental oxygen. Tasks that are easy to do at sea level, such as walking, became perilous at this altitude. Even a small step is like a major victory. Some of us probably feel like we live high on Mount Everest, where it is hard to take even one step. Many of those climbers at some point stop thinking about the summit and just think about the next step. Put enough steps together and eventually the summit is reached. But they don’t think of it until they get there, or are only steps away. They think about the next step.
When you feel overwhelmed (and if you feel overwhelmed today), don’t think of next week, just think of today, maybe even about part of today. Focus not on the summit, but on the next step. Don’t get bogged down by a project. Focus on the next step in the process of completing it. Most of all, be present in what you are doing. Living in the past or looking too much into the future will cost you efficiency and focus on the present.
Of course, the most important thing you can do throughout the day is make God a part of those small increments. Offer up short prayers before each project, each conversation and each step, and know that God walks with you, especially when you feel overwhelmed.
Lord, thank You for the gift of this day. Every day is a new day with new possibilities. Help me to be focused today on whatever tasks I have in front of me. May I do them to Your glory and in service to others. Help me to put one foot in front of the other, to focus on each hour, each task, each conversation. Help me to be efficient and to be calm especially when I feel overwhelmed. Amen.
Look at your day in small increments. Focus on each task one at a time, and hopefully you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more in control. Lean on God with each step.
