Mind Like Water. Clear. Calm. Still.
- Colleen Nelson
- Jul 22, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Time management is a myth. We can manage our actions and behaviors within the same 24 hours everyone else has.
In Karate, a theory describes the state of perfect readiness, called “Mind Like Water.” You want your mind to be clear and calm. Close your eyes and imagine standing at a clear, calm, still lake. Pick up a rock from the shore and throw it into the water. How does the water respond? The water’s response is directly proportionate to the size of the rock and then quickly returns to clear, calm, and still.
How do we clear our minds? We are all busy. But are we? Often, the overwhelming 'to-dos' aren't tasks at all—they're decisions waiting to be made. We all came into this moment carrying some sort of baggage. Whether it was work-related or from our personal lives, we all have other things on our minds right now.
To achieve this clarity, we need to address what’s clouding our minds. Take a moment right now.
Write down the biggest issue on your mind.
Write down one possible solution to each issue.
Break down that solution into a single, manageable next step.
This small action creates momentum and starts clearing your mental clutter.
After that short exercise, you probably feel some relief. You have made the decision. You have taken action on your problem. You have begun to clear your mind.
Mind Like Water… Clear… Calm. How do we get to the Calm? How many people make to-do lists? Many of you are familiar with the infamous ‘honey-do list’. I hate to do lists. We start making a list of things we want to get done. Call the doctor, pick up kids, paint the garage. This is not a to-do list; this is a decision list. We start out by calling the doctor, okay, pretty good there. Picking up the kids isn’t a task—it’s a scheduled event for your calendar. Painting the garage? That’s not one task; it’s a set of decisions, like choosing paint, prepping supplies, and scheduling time to complete it. This is a group of decisions that need to be made.
I recommend task budgets. Next to the action item you have written down, write how long that will take to do. As you are clearing your mind and turning your “so much to do” into visible actions, there are a few questions to ask: Is this actionable? Will this take 2 minutes or less?
If it’s not actionable, file it or throw it away. If it will take less than 2 minutes, do it! If it is going to take longer than 2 minutes put it on your task budget, put it on your calendar, or delegate it. Having this action plan and making your actions visible on your task budget and calendar will make you feel calmer.
Mind Like Water… Clear… Calm… Still…Perfect State of Readiness. Trust your system. There is a tendency when we start to experience stress or anxiety to revert back to old habits. If you can trust your system, you will be still when life throws one of its rocks at you. You will be able to respond with the right level of intensity. You will be ready to act.
Be still. Trust your system. What is the problem? What is the solution? Is there an action for me?
Remember, you can’t manage time but can manage your actions. Clear your mind, make decisions visible, and trust your system. Start today by turning one overwhelming decision into a single, actionable step. Achieve your perfect state of readiness. Mind Like Water.
Ready to take control of your day and reduce overwhelm? Transform your chaos into clarity with this actionable Mind Like Water worksheet!
This isn't just another to-do list. It's a guided worksheet to help you:
Prioritize what truly matters.
Plan your day with intention.
Create a realistic time budget for tasks.
Designed to make mindfulness practical, this tool is perfect for busy professionals, students, or anyone looking to find balance.
