Be Present in the Present

Back for more?  I applaud your courage.  Even a broken clock is right twice a day so I hope at least one of these posts resonates in your life!

This week, we will discuss the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the present moment.  Life can spin out of control with the stress of work, the explosion of social media and instant communication, and the increasing demands of family life.  We rarely have the time or energy for reflection and perspective.   Instead, we race from task to task, and conversation to conversation, trying to keep up with an endless stream of demands on our time.  Or, worse, we dwell on the mistakes of the past and become paralyzed by our failures.  The ability to maintain perspective and appreciation in the present moment will allow you to better focus on a future task and move forward from dwelling on the past.  In short, we must recognize the importance of being present in the present!

Appreciating the present moment is closely related to last week’s discussion regarding taking time to celebrate.  In good times, enjoy the moment and recognize that something special is happening.  I still remember the feeling of walking off the field in my last high school football game ( a few years back!).  We had  a very special team and ended the season undefeated and highly ranked in the Washington, DC area (Cue “Glory Days!”).  I recognized at that time that this was a moment I would look back on fondly in the future.  I slowly walked off the field and soaked in every detail and emotion of the moment.  I remember the look on my parents faces as they cheered from the stands.  I remember my teammates celebrating both individually and together.  I remember the smell of the grass and mud and the long shadows over the scoreboard.  Everything was happening in slow motion as I reveled in the moment.  Because I was present in the present,  the memory of that single moment has lasted a lifetime.  Too often, we don’t appreciate what we have in the moment and it is only retrospect we recognize the  significance of the event.  Happiness should not be experienced in the rearview mirror!  Take the time to reflect on the present and be thankful for the current blessings in your life.

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you enjoy in the present.  –Jim Rohn

It seems reasonable to recognize and appreciate the present in the good times.  But what about “being present in the present” during the down times?    While not as easy, it is every bit as important.  If we are going to be resilient workers and resilient people, we have to recognize and appreciate those challenging moments.  We have already discussed that celebrating the good times can help us in the down times.  But there is more to being present in the present than yearning for better times.  There is  a classic saying in the military which many soldiers remember during battle: “Never assume that things can’t get worse”.  At work, if you lose a big sale, remember there are other clients and other opportunities.  If you don’t recognize the present and take action, you will lose them all.  If you miss an assignment, recognize it but don’t dwell on it forever. That will lead to more mistakes in the future.  Never assume things can’t get worse.  Embrace the present failure and take control of your future.  Remember, the resilient person moves forward!

In summary, living in the present, whether in good times or in bad times, can help us better appreciate our lives and help us achieve peace.  The best present I can present to you is the importance of being present in the present.  Is that clever or what?

Thank you again for sticking with me on this quest for fulfillment.  Until next week, keep smiling!

Rob