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There is a qoute about exactly this problem, but coming at if from a very different context...

”The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him."

Miyamoto Musashi, The Book Of Five Rings

That idea is also said as: "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing". It's been a difficult thing to do in my life, and I get it when other people get distracted, as I often do myself. And, very often I need to just go along with distractions in order to accomplish things. In practice, it's not an easy skill.




Perhaps somehow to you that quote is about exactly the same problem but ... it doesn't look like it.


It's about intention. If your goal is to get stuff done, you'll get stuff done. If your goal is to appear to be getting stuff done, you may be perceived as someone productive but the facts on the ground will be different.




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