Be the Best at Whatever You’re Doing this Very Moment
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My background is in communications and writing, and I still do consulting work in this area. Usually this means strategy, copywriting, coaching...but the other day I volunteered to help someone dealing with a family emergency and found my self deep into project management on something that was due that night.
The skillset for project managers is, like, the complete opposite of writers. And at first, I was deer in headlights. All of these different brochures needed amendments and approvals and the clock was ticking. Emails flying around with 20 people copied and chiming in. It felt like a tornado, and for a moment I thought: “It’s Friday night. There are so many things I’d like to be doing now. Is this the best use of my time? Is this what I want to do with my life?”
And then I took a tiny break and had one of those moments where you find the exact words you need. It was a quote by Epictetus (Enchiridion 17), but I want to share Grey Freeman’s interpretation from his book: Practical Stoicism - Exercises for doing the right thing right now.
“Fate has chosen a role for you. It is the role you fill right now. It is comprised of all your weaknesses, strengths, wisdom, and ignorance. It includes the responsibilities you have accrued up to now, and all the debts owed to you, or by you. The entire chain of causality back to the beginning of time has conspired to place you into the role you fill at this moment in time.
What will you do, now?
The correct answer is, ‘My job, as best I can.’
It is irrelevant how ill-prepared you feel you might be for the challenges you face. It simply doesn't matter if you don't want the role you find yourself playing. That's the one you have. You can fill that role well or you can do so poorly, but you will fill it regardless.”
I love what he wrote there because it’s about showing up with dignity and honor in whatever you do. Courage, wisdom, self control. Justice.
“This is where I am right now, and I will do it to the best of my ability.”
After I read that Epictetus quote, something shifted, and I thought, “This is where I am right now. I’m going to be the best project manager because that’s what’s needed of me right now.” And I got into this flow. My emails to people were more lighthearted. We were just cruising. And we made the deadline and it felt good.
We all have a purpose. We have goals. We have plans. And we’re going for them. But wherever we are, whatever role we’re filling, our purpose in the moment is to show up as our best selves. To be purposeful. Because character is what it’s all about. Living with arete -- living with excellence. And living in the here and now.
At the beginning of your day, when you’re reviewing what you need to do and pondering what obstacles might come up, also consider: “What’s required of me today? And how can I bring my best?”