The Power to Be Present
Three Steps to Mindfulness at Work
One of my favorite books is by Eckhart Tolle. It’s The Power of Now. It’s a unique book on the power to be present. It tells about the importance of recognizing that today is all we have. There is no promise of tomorrow, and yesterday is behind us. We can’t change it, and we can’t relive it. It is gone.
So, how do we do things like plan for our career, or wedding, or retirement..and still be present today?
Here are three tips that can help!
1. Appreciate
Every moment – good, bad and indifferent – is an experience that can teach. Difficult experiences make us stronger. They allow us to face the next difficulty with grace.
Pleasant experiences teach us we’re worthy of good things. We can find ourselves so focused on the future that we don’t stop and appreciate what is right in front of us.
I remember driving my children to elementary school. Each morning I focused on their inability to get ready on time or to wear what I thought they should wear. So many of those morning drives turned into arguments. By the time they got out of the car, all three of us were emotionally exhausted.
It was years later I finally realized I missed what was right in front of me. It was then I realized the half-hour drive with my kids was a gift. A time to talk and to listen. I spent years planning out their future and planning out my future, but each day I was missing the present.
I’ll never get those years or those moments back.
2. Prepare (by being present)
Prepare, don’t obsess. The best way to prepare for the future is to be present today. I say that because it’s today that the lessons are being taught. If you hate your job and you want out, it’s easy to focus on the future. But the lessons might be happening right here in the moment.
Be present at your meetings. Put the phone away. Stop thinking about what you need to do after work. Take the moment you’re in and “be” there. When you do that, you will see things you didn’t notice before.
You’ll notice what you like about your environment and you’ll gain clarity on what you want to change. You’ll see strengths in people and you’ll see areas for improvement in yourself.
If you allow yourself to be 100% present, you’ll begin to see things in a new way. The future job or career you want suddenly becomes more clear, because you decided to show up and be present today.
3. Accept
Finally, accept. Learning to accept today as it is and to appreciate it for all that it means is the most difficult part of growing. But it’s the first step to enlightenment.
If you’re unemployed, underemployed or facing some other challenge today, accept it. Ask yourself how you’ve survived this challenge so far. Yes, the fact you’re surviving each day shows strength! Recognize that and embrace it. Be still, be quiet.
Accept what is. Even the struggles will seem like gifts once you accept what is. The very moment you accept today, tomorrow will unfold for you.
Your journey…
I invite you to stop trying to control each fiber of your life. (I invite me to do that too, it’s not easy, and it takes practice!) Appreciate where you are. Prepare yourself for tomorrow by being present in today. Let go of your plans. Stop and listen. The answers will find you.
We’re all works in progress… each day that we are mindful will help us grow. Do you have the power to be present?
Cynthia Corsetti is an Executive and Career Coach. Whether you’re looking for a career transition or to make a bigger impact in your current career, Cynthia is the partner you’re looking for. Follow her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For help specifically with mastering interview skills, book an Interview Mastery session.
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