In 4th century BCE, Taoist philosopher Zhuangzhi perfectly summed up what research has proven today to be one of the biggest obstacles to peak performance.
He shared this truth in the following poem titled “The Need To Win”.
“When an archer is shooting for nothing, he has all his skill.
If he shoots for a brass buckle, he is already nervous.
If he shoots for a prize of gold, he goes blind or sees two targets.
He is out of his mind!
His skill has not changed, but the prize divides him.
He cares.
He thinks more of winning than of shooting.
And the need to win drains him of power.”
We term this limitation today as an attachment to outcomes.
When your focus is on the outcome…
On winning…
On achievement…
You’re no longer present…
And therefore you are not at your full strength.
When your focus is on the task at hand…
On the activity itself…
And you’ve let go of the outcome…
You are fully present…
And therefore equipped with all of your skills.
This week…
I encourage you to be earnest in your attempts to tap into present-moment awareness.
Notice when your mind drifts into thinking about the outcomes…
And be intentional and determined to bring your focus back to the present.
You will be more productive…
And you’ll notice that you’ll be a lot happier in the process.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to stay focused on the present)