“If the horseflies get near you, don’t swat. Just let them sting you.”

Those were the words of wisdom my buddy Andrew said to me as we embarked on an 8-mile kayaking adventure through the narrow, densely-wooded streams of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. By swatting at a horsefly, I would likely shift my balance too much and risk tipping over. Navigating the kayak needed to be my singular focus. No distractions.

It’s always been tough for me to focus on just one thing. I’ve always been a multitasker. Growing up, I thrived on pressure for school assignments, even through college. Don’t give me one thing to do. Give me five. Let me bounce back forth between them, and then I’ll probably get them all done around the same time, rather than sequentially.

The first hour of so of the trip was a little tough. I was overthinking as I usually do. I was predicting what types of current or hairpin turn we might approach and how I would navigate through it. I was thinking a little bit about work. Of course, I was salivating over the delicious array of craft beers awaiting us back at the campground. And yes, I was swatting at horseflies. All this multitasking led to frequent mis-steps along the river. I knocked into some (ok, MANY) branches, got caught in a mini-whirlpool and just generally lost control a couple times. (But didn’t tip over!)

After we stopped for lunch at a small beach along the river, we set off again. This time, I didn't allow my brain to multitask. I didn’t focus on what might be ahead. I dealt with each hairpin turn and each change in current as they came. I relied on instinct and muscle memory rather than logic and planning. I didn’t hesitate or half-ass anything. I committed and remained confident. And I beasted that river with better judgment, coordination and manuevering.