Marcus told himself to do each thing as if it were the last thing he'd do, with full focus and without scattering his mind in a dozen directions. Most work stress isn't the work itself; it's the pile of everything else we carry into it. You can set that pile down and give this one task your honest attention. One step, then the next. You don't have to solve the whole project this minute, or prove anything to anyone. You only have to do the piece in front of you, well and without panic. Calm focus is its own kind of competence, and it's available to you right now.

Inspired by the old idea of doing each task with full attention. Written by Ugo Charles.