Avoiding the Drive-By Life: How to Truly Live in the Moment
Linda Marshall
Author, Television Host, EQ-i 2.0 Certified Trainer, Professional Speaker (CAPS)
Are you living your life to the fullest, enjoying moments as they occur, or?has your life become a drive-by experience? A healthy work-life balance?is vital to living your best life.
Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Life?
When we care for ourselves and live in the moment, feeling things as they occur, we experience?many joyful moments.
If we live our lives at a fast pace, on a tight schedule, moving from one task to the next, we often miss the little things that bring us joy. By the end of the day, we may not recall the critical moments that truly mattered.
“Be mindful that your life is not so busy that you stop appreciating what really matters. Somewhere in the ebb and flow, there must be time to reflect and practice gratitude.” – Linda Marshall, Author
The "Drive-By Life" Phenomena
Several years ago, I coined the phrase "drive-by life" phenomena when writing my first book, Giving Back, How to Find Your Personal Joy and Make a Difference to Others. This term encapsulates a lifestyle where one navigates through an incessant series of tasks and obligations, often without pausing to acknowledge emotions or savour meaningful interactions and achievements. In this relentless pursuit of productivity, moments blur together, leaving a sense of emptiness upon reflection.?
Living a "drive-by life" robs us of fully experiencing our journey and connecting deeply with the people who matter most. It's easy to fall into the habit of merely going through the motions of daily life, neglecting the opportunity to cherish meaningful moments and cultivate lasting fulfillment.
The Elusive Work-Life Balance
The first step is to determine what is causing this behaviour. It can often be related to needing a better work-life balance. Living in the moment and practicing mindfulness is the best way to achieve this balance. It's important to note that the balance will differ for each of us. When I am working, I focus solely on my work. I give them my full attention when I am with family or friends. However, I have also noticed that my passion for both parts of my life can get in the way . Sometimes, I feel a pressing need to complete just one more task or make one more call, even after an exceptionally productive day.
Where Do I Start?
To get the most out of your life,?you must step back and decipher what is important: Is it family, work, or a combination of both? If both are crucial, how do we make time for them? Essentially, it is about improving your focus?on your actions and making decisions that benefit?you and everyone around you.
Pause and ask yourself:
Linda Marshall is a Speaker, author, Certified EQ Trainer, Television Host, and founder of Marshall Connects, based in Ontario, Canada.
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