The Power of Today
Inspired by the classic - How to stop worrying and start living by Dale Carnegie (author of How to win friends...)
I've been reflecting on Dale Carnegie's wisdom about living in "day-tight compartments."The concept is simple yet profound: focus intensely on today's responsibilities and let tomorrow handle itself.
One tool that's transformed my workflow is my "to discuss and to decide" list. This is what I use with my team. What needs to be discussed, what needs to be decided. When it doesn't fit either criteria, it moves do "delay", "delegate", or "delete". Every project moves toward the next decision point - no stagnation, just forward momentum.
Why does this work? Because:
- Decision + Action = Peace
- Carnegie was right - half our worry evaporates once we make a choice)
- Our minds can only hold one thought at a time
- staying occupied leaves no room for destructive worry)
- Over-planning for tomorrow steals clarity from today
When I feel anxiety creeping in, I use Carnegie's 3-step formula:
- Define the worst case
- Accept it mentally
- Then take calm action to improve things.
This clears mental fog instantly.