Why do we practice zazen? part 2

Part 1

The ability to be fully present yet not controlled by conditions creates a stable mental and emotional foundation even in the midst of turmoil. It is a natural ability each of us has, and the benefit of establishing this greater stability can be quite significant for every aspect of our lives. If we practice it, Dogan tells us, it is realized, or "made real," from the first moment we sit down until beyond the last, so the motivation to practice with consistency arises from the practice itself. page xxxi, A walk with Dogen into our time, preface by Peter Levitt in The essential Dogen: writings of the great zen master

I am listening to The Ordinary Mind Zen School Sydney podcast, Dharma talks by Geoff Dawson. he recommends breath counting rather than to immediately get into shikantaza. He says once you can do that sustained for a fairly decent amount of time then you're ready for the next step. He mentions that if you go into shikantaza immediately you will find that you end up daydreaming which I think is a good description of where I am still at.