Doing One Thing at a Time

The most hectic place in the world perhaps is the information counter of the New York Central Station. Everyday it is crowded with travellers asking their questions hoping to get instant answers. To the people manning the counter, we can imagine their work pressure.

However the person behind the counter looked cool and relaxed. He was a frail and  bespectacled man. In front of him was a short and plump woman with a scalf over her head. She was anxious and wet with sweat.

The man leaned forward to listen to the woman. "Yes, how can I help you? Where do you want to go?"

At this time, a well-dressed man with a hat on his head and holding a travelling bag behind the woman came forward trying to ask a question.

But the man at the counter did not bother with him. He continued talking to the woman,"Where do you want to go?"

"Springfield."
"Is it Springfield in Ohio?"
"No, Springfield in Massachusetts."

Without referring to the timetable he said,"The train will leave in 10 minutes' time at Platform 15. You don't have to rush, there is sufficient time."
"Did you say Platform 15?"
"Yes, Ma'am."

The woman turned away. The man immediately paid his attention to the next person, the well-dressed man with a hat on his head.

But a little while later the woman came back and asked,"Did you say Platform 15 just now?"

This time the man at the counter gave his full attention to the man. He did not bother with the woman.

Someone asked him,"Can you tell me how do you keep your calmness?"

He said,"I don't face a large crowd. I only deal with the passenger one at a time."

He is right. He only serves one person at a time, that is doing one thing at a time This will make us keep our concentration on one thing and it will be fully done. If we want to deal with too many things at the same time, we may not be able to complete them and finally everything will be half done.