How often do you find yourself in a meeting thinking about what you need to pick up at the store on the way home? Or wandering through the store thinking about what you should’ve said in that meeting?
One thing I learned working as a professional actor was the power of being present. Only when an actor is present in each moment—not thinking about what just happened or what’s about to happen—does a performance come to life for the audience.
The same happens in real life. There’s a vitality that comes from being present. In that meeting, you can really listen to what your teammate is saying. At the store, you can actually remember everything on your list.
Just as actors engender trust with an audience by being present in the story, when we’re present in our lives, we cultivate emotional and functional trust with others.
Acting also taught me being present isn’t as easy as you’d think. It takes a lot of practice and discipline. Here are a few tips:
- Clarify Your Transitions. Take a moment to close one experience before openning another. Add things to a list first, before starting the meeting. Reflect for a moment in the car, then walk into the store. And tell people what you’re doing (they’ll love it): “Hang on, I’ve got to get this idea down on paper, because I want to be fully present with you…”
- Use your Senses. Our brains run on auto pilot most of the time to conserve energy. To bring yourself fully into the present moment, wake up your dormant senses. See the trees swaying outside. Listen to the sound of the room. Feel your toes in your shoes. These details will ground you in the here and now.
- Go with the Flow. You cannot stop emotions and thoughts concerning the past or future from invading the present moment. However, you can decide not to follow them. When they pop into your heart or mind, simply acknowledge them, and let them pass on through. Redeclare your intention to stay in the moment and use your senses to ground yourself in the here and now.
Being present requires lot of trust. Trust that you aren’t doomed to repeat past failures. Trust that your past success wasn’t just luck. Trust that the future will work itself out even if you don’t worry about it. Trust that being fully present right now is worth it in and of itself.
For Reflection: Where do you need to discipline yourself to be present today?
Update: 19% First Draft Complete
As my proposal is being reviewed, I’m pressing on with the rest of the first draft. Due to our whole family performing in The Nutcracker this past week, I made just a little progress on my third chapter.
