Concentrate on your job and you will forget your other troubles.
Hear the words of William Feather, who gave this counsel of clarity and strength: “Concentrate on your job and you will forget your other troubles.” In these few but powerful lines lies the ancient truth that labor is more than survival—it is a balm for the restless mind and a shield against despair. For when the spirit bends itself fully to work, the weight of sorrow loses its grip.
To concentrate on your job is to gather the wandering thoughts, the fears, and the anxieties that haunt the heart, and bind them beneath the focus of purposeful action. The hand that labors with intent has no time to tremble, and the mind that dwells upon the task at hand has no space to entertain despair. Thus, work becomes medicine, steadying the soul when storms rise.
Feather’s wisdom springs from the knowledge of human nature: idle minds are tormented by shadows, but a mind absorbed in duty is anchored. The ancients knew this well, for they taught that even in grief, one must till the field, tend the fire, and guide the flock. In the rhythm of work, the heart finds refuge from the chaos of pain.
Yet this is no denial of suffering—it is transformation. For sorrow unchanneled festers, but sorrow turned into effort becomes creation. To lose oneself in the job is not to flee from trouble, but to reshape it, to turn anguish into productivity and despair into endurance. The troubled soul finds healing in building, crafting, and doing.
Thus let the generations remember: the surest way to rise above your troubles is not to surrender to them, but to bind yourself to meaningful work. In focus there is peace, in effort there is renewal, and in concentration there is freedom from the torment of worry. This is the wisdom of Feather—ancient in spirit, timeless in power, a torch for all who labor beneath the weight of life.
THTran Hieu
This quote makes sense in some situations, especially when the job at hand requires full attention. I can imagine how, during intense projects or deadlines, focusing solely on work can help take your mind off other troubles. But is this always healthy? Does this quote imply that work can be used as a constant distraction, or should we be more mindful of how we balance work and addressing personal issues in a more holistic way?
TTnguyẽn thị trinh
Feather’s quote seems to offer an almost comforting perspective—if you’re overwhelmed, just focus on your job and the worries will fade. But I wonder if this is always the case. For some people, work might add to their stress rather than alleviate it. Is this quote more applicable to those who find fulfillment and distraction in their jobs? Or can it work universally, regardless of how one feels about their work?
NTphan ngoc tung
I can see the wisdom in this quote, as focusing on work can certainly help shift attention away from personal difficulties. But is it sustainable in the long term? If we keep avoiding our problems by burying ourselves in work, don’t they just build up and become more overwhelming later? Shouldn’t we be addressing the root causes of our troubles, or can temporary distractions like work provide enough relief for us to keep going?
NTManh Nguyen Tien
This quote seems to suggest that immersing ourselves in our jobs can act as a remedy for life’s troubles, but it got me thinking—can this approach work for everyone? What if your job is the source of your stress? Is it really the job that provides relief, or is it the sense of achievement and focus that comes with completing tasks? And how do we ensure that work doesn’t become an unhealthy coping mechanism?
DDKha Do danh
William Feather’s quote reminds me of how sometimes, work becomes an escape mechanism. When life gets overwhelming, diving into work can help clear our minds. But does this mean we’re truly resolving our problems, or just putting them on hold? Is it more about finding a balance between work and personal life so that neither suffers, or should we rely on work to temporarily shield us from life's challenges?