4 Ways to Be Present that Anyone Can Practice
People tend to choose ruminating on the past or worrying about the future over being present.
Being present is being engaged in the moment.
But how much should you think about the past and the future?
Powerless or powerful:
You are never at your best when you’re ruminating on the past or worrying about the future.
Nothing is created in the past or the future.
Power to make a difference is the ability to do something now.
“Remember then: there is only one time that is important—now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.” Leo Tolstoy
How leaders think about the past:
Over-thinking failure leads to fear and regret.
Regret blocks learning.
Lack of regret for harmful mistakes is callused. Learning from harmful mistakes is responsibility.
Learn from past mistakes but ruminate on success as well.
- What worked?
- How did relationships impact success or failure?
- What do you want to repeat? Not repeat?
- Why did you succeed? Fail?
- What aspects of success were the result of good fortune?
Learning from past mistakes is power to contribute effectively today.
How leaders think about the future:
Over-thinking the future is destructive.
You’re thinking about the future too much when you’re filled with anxiety and worry.
Stress and anxiety come from feeling powerless.
Vision for the future is a beacon whose only purpose is guidance for today’s action.
4 ways to be present:
Being present is bringing your best self to what you’re doing now.
- Just for a moment, forget about the next thing and focus on this thing.
- Stay on task. Turn off notifications during one-on-ones, for example.
- Set one simple goal that you must complete in the morning and one in the afternoon.
- Chunk time into useable blocks. A deadline increases focus.
How much should we think about the past or the future?
How might leaders be present more frequently?
How much should we think about the past or the future?
– Enough to be effective in the present. Like you said whether that is learning from past mistakes or preparing for future endeavors, do that which makes today the best it can be.
One good quote I heard the other day was this:
“When your memories are greater than your dreams, you are moving in the wrong direction”.
Along the same lines, I always like the quote “Your past doesn’t need you; your future does.” It helps remind me where to focus. Learn from what has already happened but don’t dwell on it so much it prevents you from moving on.