The next thing

I did a really good job of not thinking about work this past weekend. I slept; I worked out; I cooked; I watched the Olympics; I read.

But it's Monday and think about it I must. Time to focus. I have my to-do list. I have my stacks of papers to sift through and items to read. I can do this.

As I sat down at my desk and started the day, I was instantly flooded with emails and phone calls. Notifications and meeting requests started to clog my calendar and I started losing my focus.

This morning, before I let the feelings overtake me - those feelings of anxiety, overwhelming doubt in what I can do - I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes. And I handed it over in prayer.

"Guard my heart, guard my mind. Protect me and set my path straight."

I opened my eyes and clear as day, I knew what to do next.

The next thing. One thing at a time. Finish that and move to the next thing.

My new mantra: Focus. One thing. What's next?