The simplest tactic to ensure your peace, happiness, and fulfillment might be one of the most difficult to embrace.

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Since 2003, I’ve reinforced a handful of simple concepts over and over again.

One of these has been to plan the week/day in advance.

This “rule” is designed to help the overachieving professional focus their limited resources on what matters most.

I’d much rather put in a reasonable week and complete 2-4 critical objectives than rush around for 55 hours drifting in and out of tasks, wondering what got accomplished.

Planning your future is important.    

However, as soon as the planning is complete, it’s critical that we practice being in the moment.

Unfortunately, we (overachievers) have convinced ourselves that constantly thinking, e.g. overplanning about the future, will make it better.

This never works.

All this “contemplation” does is ruin the only thing that really matters – the NOW. 

When your attention starts to drift, find a centering mechanism (i.e. deep breaths) and return to the present. 

This simple practice is the beginning of finding peace, joy, and contentment.   

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—CJ McClanahan

Speaker | Advisor | Recovering Overachiever

CJ McClanahan