---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you start projecting on the future…"
description: "\"When you start projecting on the future - \"Oh my God, I gotta do this and I'm not there yet\" - well, of course you're not there yet because you're here..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/jennifer-beals-10022_courses_when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future_1077249.jpg"
---

#  When you start projecting on the future - "Oh my God, I…

![“When you start projecting on the future - &quot;Oh my God, I gotta do this and I'm not there yet&quot; - well, of course you're not there yet because you're here now. That time will come. I try to stay in the moment as much as I can and find whatever joy I can in that moment, no matter what it is. Then it…” quote by Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/jennifer-beals-10022_courses_when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future_1077249.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/jennifer-beals-10022_courses_when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future_1077249.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/jennifer-beals-10022_courses_when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future_1077249.jpg)

> “When you start projecting on the future - "Oh my God, I gotta do this and I'm not there yet" - well, of course you're not there yet because you're here now. That time will come. I try to stay in the moment as much as I can and find whatever joy I can in that moment, no matter what it is. Then it doesn't feel as stressful.”

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Focusing on the present reduces anxiety about future goals, allowing enjoyment of current experiences while still working toward aspirations.

**In simple terms:** Live now, worry less about tomorrow.

Key Takeaway

Stay present, enjoy the moment.

Themes

mindfulness anxiety future planning

Mood

calm reflective

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- daily work
- personal relationships
- creative projects
- health routines

Key Concepts

present-moment awareness stress reduction

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance present joy with future preparation?
- What habits help you stay grounded?

A Different Perspective

Future goals still require planning; presence alone may delay action.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Feel Stressful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-stressful-2715882/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [No matter what](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-matter-what/) [Oh my god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh-my-god/) [Projecting Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/projecting-future-2715881/) [Start Projecting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-projecting-2715883/) [Stay Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay-moment/) [Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress/) [Stressful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stressful/) [That moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/that-moment/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/)

## Related quotes

> [Projecting into the future with hopes, dreams and desires can never fulfill you. Only the present moment can fulfill you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/projecting-into-the-future-with-hopes-dreams-and-desires-can-never/)

[Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/)

> [“I'd hated that because it didn't feel how I expected romance to feel: stressful and kind of blood-soaked, a constant power struggle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-arnett/i-d-hated-that-because-it-didn-t-feel-how-i-expected-romance-to-feel/)

[Kristen Arnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-arnett/)

> [Going ahead in the midst of the stressful circumstances and giving thanks in that moment - you can't simultaneously feel stress and gratitude at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/going-ahead-in-the-midst-of-the-stressful-circumstances-and-giving/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [I'm interested when people will stand up for themselves. I'm always interested in that moment when someone decides it's not good enough, and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-m-interested-when-people-will-stand-up-for-themselves-i-m-always/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [Whether it's that moment in acting when everything is suspended and you're not yourself, or breaking through the veil of a very long run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/whether-it-s-that-moment-in-acting-when-everything-is-suspended-and/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I am trying so very hard to stay in the moment despite the ferocity of my ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-am-trying-so-very-hard-to-stay-in-the-moment-despite-the-ferocity/)

[Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/)

> [You try to stay in the moment and act like you're singing the song for the first time. You try to have a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-wilson/you-try-to-stay-in-the-moment-and-act-like-you-re-singing-the-song/)

[Cindy Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-wilson/)

> [I like to stay in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-white/i-like-to-stay-in-the-moment/)

[Shaun White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-white/)

> [Focus on the present moment. Stay in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-horton/focus-on-the-present-moment-stay-in-the-moment/)

[Tony Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-horton/)

> [For living a complete life, stay in the moment and realize there's no way to re-make the past. What's gone is gone. Let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/for-living-a-complete-life-stay-in-the-moment-and-realize-there-s-no/)

[Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/)

> [“It's so difficult to love another person and yourself for who they are and not what they do or who they could be. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-forman/it-s-so-difficult-to-love-another-person-and-yourself-for-who-they/)

[Vicki Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-forman/)

> [I'm learning in my old age that the only thing you can do to keep your sanity is to stay in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-m-learning-in-my-old-age-that-the-only-thing-you-can-do-to-keep/)

[Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/)

> [“No matter what happens in your life always try your best to stay in the moment. You can never control another persons emotions but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/no-matter-what-happens-in-your-life-always-try-your-best-to-stay-in/)

[Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/)

> [If I simply stay in that moment on the pitch and read the game, I can do so much more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christen-press/if-i-simply-stay-in-that-moment-on-the-pitch-and-read-the-game-i-can/)

[Christen Press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christen-press/)

> [This moment in which you experience stillness is every moment. Don't let the mind seduce you into the past or future. Stay in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/this-moment-in-which-you-experience-stillness-is-every-moment-don-t/)

[Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/)

## More by Jennifer Beals

> [ \[Demystifying lesbian sex for an interviewer\] In a way, the sex isn't really that different... From what I can tell, no, not really. All… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/demystifying-lesbian-sex-for-an-interviewer-in-a-way-the-sex-isn-t/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I said, wouldn't it be nice, instead of having these women fight with each other over men, which seems to be more of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-said-wouldn-t-it-be-nice-instead-of-having-these-women-fight-with/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [Everything has its cycle. I think it's appropriate for us to be ending now. But the beauty of storytelling, and the beauty of film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/everything-has-its-cycle-i-think-it-s-appropriate-for-us-to-be-ending/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [You can have the 'golden rule' - do unto others as you would have others do unto you. But then you take it one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/you-can-have-the-golden-rule-do-unto-others-as-you-would-have-others/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I'm interested when people will stand up for themselves. I'm always interested in that moment when someone decides it's not good enough, and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-m-interested-when-people-will-stand-up-for-themselves-i-m-always/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [ Inside every woman there is a Kali. \[Hindu goddess who morphed into seven hidden beings to win a battle\] Do not mistake the exterior… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/inside-every-woman-there-is-a-kali-hindu-goddess-who-morphed-into/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I knew there was something I had to do yesterday. I couldn't remember what it is. I can't figure it out. I know it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-knew-there-was-something-i-had-to-do-yesterday-i-couldn-t-remember/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [It doesn't seem as if there's that much of a difference between a big production and a little production, other than you have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/it-doesn-t-seem-as-if-there-s-that-much-of-a-difference-between-a-big/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I'm just talking specifically of women's friendships. If two women go to a bar and they are fighting over men, it makes it much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-m-just-talking-specifically-of-women-s-friendships-if-two-women-go/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [Love is the greatest light, the brightest torch, and will always be the greatest instrument of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/love-is-the-greatest-light-the-brightest-torch-and-will-always-be-the/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [Love is the most dangerous thing in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/love-is-the-most-dangerous-thing-in-the-world/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [Just when you think you know something, it gets turned around and challenged in some way. But those changes are welcome because you end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/just-when-you-think-you-know-something-it-gets-turned-around-and/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [You can make yourself feel better about yourself if you project your shadow side, if you project your own potential for evil onto someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/you-can-make-yourself-feel-better-about-yourself-if-you-project-your/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I'm always shocked that gay marriage is such a big deal. You have to realize how precious human life is, when there are tsunamis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-m-always-shocked-that-gay-marriage-is-such-a-big-deal-you-have-to/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I think that in some ways everybody is like Roger. Everybody thinks that when their friends have a problem, that they know the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-think-that-in-some-ways-everybody-is-like-roger-everybody-thinks/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

[Explore all 68 Jennifer Beals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

## More Courses quotes

> [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [Our critical day is not the very day of our death; but the whole course of our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/our-critical-day-is-not-the-very-day-of-our-death-but-the-whole/)

[John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/)

> [ Bernie \[Ecclestone\] is the commercial rights holder so the more outgoing the champion is, the better. Of course. I also do think about our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-ecclestone/bernie-ecclestone-is-the-commercial-rights-holder-so-the-more/)

[Bernie Ecclestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-ecclestone/)

> [The prediction of nuclear winter is drawn not, of course, from any direct experience with the consequences of global nuclear war, but rather from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-prediction-of-nuclear-winter-is-drawn-not-of-course-from-any/)

[Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/)

> [We are always saying: Let the Law take its Course but what we really mean is: Let the Law take OUR Course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/we-are-always-saying-let-the-law-take-its-course-but-what-we-really/)

[Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/)

> [Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-generally-decide-upon-a-middle-course-which-is-most-hazardous-for/)

[Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/)

> [I earn my living by teaching film, mostly filmmaking but also teaching courses on current cinema. I'm interested in movies. I hope that's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-andersen/i-earn-my-living-by-teaching-film-mostly-filmmaking-but-also-teaching/)

[Thom Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-andersen/)

> [The wisdom of our actions in the first three years of peace will determine the course of world history for half a century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-wallace/the-wisdom-of-our-actions-in-the-first-three-years-of-peace-will/)

[Henry A. Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-wallace/)

> [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/)

[Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/)

> [You can’t bake a cake without getting the kitchen messy. Halfway through surgery it looks like there’s been a murder in the operating room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/price-pritchett/you-can-t-bake-a-cake-without-getting-the-kitchen-messy-halfway/)

[Price Pritchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/price-pritchett/)

> [ Leave a cavity behind the \[wall\] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-and-on-the-inside-build-walls/)

[Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/)

> [Of course it does on opening night, but I've never had that devastating stage fright that some people get, but apparently, you can develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/of-course-it-does-on-opening-night-but-i-ve-never-had-that/)

[Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/)

> [I studied philosophy and ended on sociology. For some reason, all the advanced courses in philosophy were offered 4:30 to 6:30, so I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-jackson/i-studied-philosophy-and-ended-on-sociology-for-some-reason-all-the/)

[Lawrence Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-jackson/)

> [There is no one who can change My course or affect My conduct to the slightest extent. I am the Master over all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/there-is-no-one-who-can-change-my-course-or-affect-my-conduct-to-the/)

[Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/)

> [In the course of our eternal existence, we spend infinitely more time in the spirit world on the other side than we spend in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/in-the-course-of-our-eternal-existence-we-spend-infinitely-more-time/)

[Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/)

[Browse all 6,995 Courses quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When you start projecting on the future - \"Oh my God, I gotta do this and I'm not there yet\" - well, of course you're not there yet because you're here now. That time will come. I try to stay in the moment as much as I can and find whatever joy I can in that moment, no matter what it is. Then it doesn't feel as stressful.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jennifer Beals"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future-oh-my-god-i-gotta-do-this-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Courses"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future-oh-my-god-i-gotta-do-this-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/jennifer-beals-10022_courses_when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future_1077249.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/jennifer-beals-10022_courses_when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future_1077249.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/jennifer-beals-10022_courses_when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future_1077249.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When you start projecting on the future - \"Oh my God, I gotta do this and I'm not there yet\" - well, of…” — Jennifer Beals",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jennifer Beals",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When you start projecting on the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future-oh-my-god-i-gotta-do-this-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-start-projecting-on-the-future-oh-my-god-i-gotta-do-this-and/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
