Do one thing at a time. This rule (and some of the others that follow) will be familiar to most in buddhism. Don’t multi-task. When you’re pouring water, just pour water. When you’re eating, just eat.
Do it slowly and deliberately. You can do one task at a time, but also rush that task. Instead, take your time, and move slowly. Make your actions deliberate, not rushed and random. It takes practice, but it helps you focus on the task.
Do it completely. Put your mind completely on the task. Don’t move on to the next task until you’re finished. If, for some reason, you have no choice but to move on to something else, try to at least put away the unfinished task and clean up after yourself.
Do less but be not lazy. Our day should be filled with work. However, we shouldn’t have an unending task list either — there are certain things we are going to do today, and no more. If you do less, you can do those things more slowly, more completely and with more concentration. If you fill your day with tasks, you will be rushing from one thing to the next without stopping to think about what you do.
Peace and Love, Jim
