‘Do your thing and let it all be’: Know psychology behind this teaching from The Bhagavad Gita that helped Manu Bhaker win historic Olympic medal

When Arjuna, a Pandava prince, is distraught after seeing all his friends, family, and gurus ready to fight the battle at Kurukshetra against him, Lord Krishna, his charioteer, gives him immortal lessons in the form of the Bhagavad Gita. The Pandavas were five brothers who were the main protagonists in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, known for their virtues and their conflict with their cousins, the Kauravas.

One of the most important lessons Krishna gives in the Gita is that one should never worry about the results of their actions; but focus on performing their duty the best they can. 

After winning a bronze medal in the 10m women’s air pistol event, Bhaker shared that she read the Bhagavad Gita and found inspiration from Krishna’s teachings. Before her finals, she revealed what was going through her head. “Focus on karma, not on the outcome of the karma. That was running in my head. I thought, ‘do your thing and let it all be,’” she said. 

This ancient wisdom encourages individuals to concentrate on their efforts rather than the outcome, a concept that resonates deeply with modern psychological strategies for managing performance anxiety.

Alignment of this teaching with modern psychological theories

Gurleen Baruah, occupational psychologist and executive coach at That Culture Thing, says, “The Bhagavad Gita’s teaching of focusing on duty rather than the results — embodied in the verse ‘Karm karo, fal ki chinta mat karo’ (Do your duty without thinking about the results) — resonates deeply with modern psychological theories on performance anxiety and stress management.”

In modern psychology, she says, this approach aligns with the concept of focusing on what is within our control and letting go of what is not. Performance anxiety often stems from excessive fixation on results, which can lead to stress, procrastination, and a fear of failure. “When individuals become overly concerned with outcomes, their anxiety can paralyse their ability to perform effectively, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure.”

By focusing on the process — putting in the effort and doing one’s duty — rather than obsessing over the end results, individuals can manage performance anxiety more effectively, Baruah states. “This shift in focus helps reduce the pressure and fear associated with potential failure. It aligns with modern psychological approaches that advocate for a process-oriented mindset to enhance performance and well-being.”

After winning a bronze medal in the 10m women’s air pistol event, Bhaker shared that she read the Bhagavad Gita and found inspiration from Krishna’s teachings. (Source: Freepik)

Tips to incorporate this teaching into one’s daily life

Baruah explains, “Incorporating the teaching of focusing on duty rather than results into daily life involves several practical steps and techniques.” Here’s how to integrate this teaching effectively:

Detach Self-Worth from Performance: Understand that your performance does not define who you are. Detach your identity from the results of your efforts. Successes and failures are part of the journey, not reflections of your worth as a person. 

Focus on Controllables: Concentrate on what you can control – your actions, effort, and attitude. Recognise that external factors such as the outcome of a task or external validation are beyond your control. 

Adopt a Process-Oriented Mindset: Shift your focus from achieving perfection to making consistent progress. Understand that incremental improvements and persistent efforts lead to long-term success. 

Practice Rational Reflection: Regularly engage in self-reflection to assess your performance and mindset. Reflect on what you did well and what you can improve, but do so with a rational perspective.

Set Realistic Goals and Celebrate Progress: Set achievable goals that focus on effort and learning rather than just results. Celebrate small milestones and progress along the way.