--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We rob ourselves of so much by focusing…" description: "\"We rob ourselves of so much by focusing on the wrong stuff. And the ability to get into the moment and deal with what is, that's the real opportunity.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/kathy-mattea-17222_ability_we-rob-ourselves-of-so-much-by-focusing_445318.png" --- # We rob ourselves of so much by focusing on the wrong… ![“We rob ourselves of so much by focusing on the wrong stuff. And the ability to get into the moment and deal with what is, that's the real opportunity.” quote by Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/kathy-mattea-17222_ability_we-rob-ourselves-of-so-much-by-focusing_445318.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/kathy-mattea-17222_ability_we-rob-ourselves-of-so-much-by-focusing_445318.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/kathy-mattea-17222_ability_we-rob-ourselves-of-so-much-by-focusing_445318.png) > “We rob ourselves of so much by focusing on the wrong stuff. And the ability to get into the moment and deal with what is, that's the real opportunity.” [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) ## 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 irrelevant concerns distracts us from the present moment, where real opportunities lie. **In simple terms:** Stay present to seize true opportunities. Key Takeaway Prioritize present‑moment awareness. Themes mindfulness focus opportunity Mood calm thoughtful Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - stress management - decision making - creative work - relationship conflicts Key Concepts psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What are you currently over‑focusing on? - How can you bring attention back to the present? A Different Perspective Distractions can be persistent and hard to eliminate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Jeff Copper, has said, “If you’re working hard, you are focusing on the wrong thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-miliken/jeff-copper-has-said-if-you-re-working-hard-you-are-focusing-on-the/) Kirsten Miliken > [Stop focusing on what's wrong with everyone else and start focusing on how blessed you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/stop-focusing-on-what-s-wrong-with-everyone-else-and-start-focusing/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [We started our foundation because we believe we have a real opportunity to help advance equity around the world, to help make sure that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melinda-gates/we-started-our-foundation-because-we-believe-we-have-a-real/) [Melinda Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melinda-gates/) > [We are the last generation with a real opportunity to save the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-overmire/we-are-the-last-generation-with-a-real-opportunity-to-save-the-world/) [Laurence Overmire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-overmire/) > [I felt like there was a real opportunity to help people understand that if you're concerned about what's happening in Washington, then you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-porter/i-felt-like-there-was-a-real-opportunity-to-help-people-understand/) [Katie Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-porter/) > [The real opportunity for success lies within the person and not in the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/the-real-opportunity-for-success-lies-within-the-person-and-not-in/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [There's a real opportunity to have a vertical takeoff and landing electric supersonic jet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/there-s-a-real-opportunity-to-have-a-vertical-takeoff-and-landing/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [The real opportunity is to harness the inventive power of the world to locally design and produce solutions to local problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gershenfeld/the-real-opportunity-is-to-harness-the-inventive-power-of-the-world/) [Neil Gershenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gershenfeld/) > [I want a real opportunity to win a championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-want-a-real-opportunity-to-win-a-championship/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [The real opportunity America has always offered is the chance to be what you want to be and escape being what you don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/the-real-opportunity-america-has-always-offered-is-the-chance-to-be/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [I do not think it worth while to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-do-not-think-it-worth-while-to-wait-for-enjoyment-until-there-is/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [I think expectations might be preceding reality, ... In the long run we've got some real opportunity here, but we've come a long way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-davies/i-think-expectations-might-be-preceding-reality-in-the-long-run-we-ve/) Michael Davies > [There is a real opportunity right now as parents and grandparents to come up with a plan that leaves our kids with something better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-coleman/there-is-a-real-opportunity-right-now-as-parents-and-grandparents-to/) [Norm Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-coleman/) > [We also have a real opportunity to join NATO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduard-shevardnadze/we-also-have-a-real-opportunity-to-join-nato/) [Eduard Shevardnadze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduard-shevardnadze/) > [I have a bold plan to break from the Bloomberg years, and end the 'Tale of Two Cities' by providing real opportunity to all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-have-a-bold-plan-to-break-from-the-bloomberg-years-and-end-the-tale/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) ## More by Kathy Mattea > [I would step into a place of being lined up with a sense of purpose and my inner compass, and everything was going in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/i-would-step-into-a-place-of-being-lined-up-with-a-sense-of-purpose/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [I've come to understand my role. On some level, I provide the context for them to shine. I also know my role is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/i-ve-come-to-understand-my-role-on-some-level-i-provide-the-context/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [Sally Barris has a voice like sparkling crystal. You could have knocked me over with a feather the first time I heard her. Her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/sally-barris-has-a-voice-like-sparkling-crystal-you-could-have/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [If you say that you're all about a certain something, and look back and see that the choices that you've made don't reflect that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/if-you-say-that-you-re-all-about-a-certain-something-and-look-back/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [So I really did stop and change what I saw I was about, and really try to put that principle into play as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/so-i-really-did-stop-and-change-what-i-saw-i-was-about-and-really-try/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [Anyway, our family went into complete crisis mode. I have two older brothers, and we rallied as a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/anyway-our-family-went-into-complete-crisis-mode-i-have-two-older/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [Chocolate's okay, but I prefer a really intense fruit taste. You know when a peach is absolutely perfect... it's sublime. I'd like to capture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/chocolate-s-okay-but-i-prefer-a-really-intense-fruit-taste-you-know/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [And in fact, I think the more we start to worship perfection the more soul leaks out of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/and-in-fact-i-think-the-more-we-start-to-worship-perfection-the-more/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [Or if I have my head in the results, I can't work with what I have, because I'm trying to force something to happen.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/or-if-i-have-my-head-in-the-results-i-can-t-work-with-what-i-have/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [There is a string attached to Maia Sharp's voice. And when she sings, you find that the other end is attached to your gut.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/there-is-a-string-attached-to-maia-sharp-s-voice-and-when-she-sings/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [So all of these things are going on that make you wake up and realize you are a mortal person. You can choose to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/so-all-of-these-things-are-going-on-that-make-you-wake-up-and-realize/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [Can you blame them? We have to filter so much information these days. But it does make it difficult for an artist. I'm 46…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/can-you-blame-them-we-have-to-filter-so-much-information-these-days/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [So I had to just kind of go back to the hotel, take a shower, sit quiet, dig down deep, warm up, and allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/so-i-had-to-just-kind-of-go-back-to-the-hotel-take-a-shower-sit-quiet/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [Tonight I feel like all of creation is asking us to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/tonight-i-feel-like-all-of-creation-is-asking-us-to-dance/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [Dance like nobody's watching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/dance-like-nobody-s-watching/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) [Explore all 37 Kathy Mattea quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We rob ourselves of so much by focusing on the wrong stuff. 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