We only ever do a few things
The true wisdom behind the aphorism do a few things is not what we think it is. It is not a matter of us choosing to do a few things. It is a matter of realizing that we can only ever do a few things.
We think that we do many hundreds or thousands of things in a day. Sure, we are taking hundreds of actions. But what is really happening is that they all fall under 10-15 tasks or categories if we are being generous. There’s really not a whole lot going on.
So, instead of creating the illusion of doing many things, which we are naught to do, we should bring ourselves back to reality. Really focus on the things we do. Consciously look at ourselves.
Once we set down this illusion, we become calm.