Care about the person by . . .

We don’t have to know everything.

So relax. 

Being well informed—others seem to expect it of us, and we expect it of ourselves. News of the latest political crisis delivered to our smartphone, the final episode of a popular TV series, editorial opinions in the newspaper, local news on the radio.

How did we get to this point?

Who decided it was so crucial for us to know about, well, everything.

And why do we buy into such thinking?

Yes, we need to know enough about our world to remain aware of the things directly affecting us and those we’re responsible for. But why spend valuable time and energy on the things that don’t affect us or that we have no influence over? Why do we feel we need to offer an opinion on whatever people are talking about? Is it due to not wanting to appear ignorant? Or are we trying to fit in? Or trying to be helpful?

Whatever the reason, being smitten by (perhaps addicted to) constant updates steals our time and wastes our energy.

As Nancy Reagan advised: “Just say no.” 

We must be willing to give up what we are to . . .

We need to stop overthinking life

and just do our tasks.

What’s happening in the news? Should I buy that work- related book my coworkers are talking about or borrow it from the library? Wait a minute, who left that pink flamingo float in the pond?

Enough! We’re making our lives far too complicated. Instead of focusing on what we need to, we allow an endless train of random, wandering thoughts to distract us. Like that silly pink float.

Instead of being lured by, engrossed in, and held captive to endless distractions, we need to hold firm. And focus. We need to stop and ask ourselves, What is the best use of my time? What is my task, right now? Not my task next week, not my task tomorrow. Not even later today.

What am I supposed to be doing here and now? 

It’s not that things like what’s happening in the world and at work don’t matter. It’s about when we focus on our tasks at the appropriate time, we’ll handle them more efficiently. And maybe even forget the pink flamingo float and end up with some time to read that important book.