Presence over Productivity
I read this Instagram quote recently that talked about how we should measure our days by the amount of presence we have compared to how productive we are. I know what you're thinking... Yeah right. I'm going to sit around and meditate all day. I don't have enough time to do all the things I already have to do, let alone meditate.
I get that, I speak with people all the time who don't like meditating, they don't have enough time or it's just not for them.
The nice thing is you don't have to be sitting in a silent room with your eyes closed to be present. Yes, it's awesome if you're willing to do it but it's not necessary.
When I think of being present I think of how engaged I am with what I'm doing now. I'm not working on what it is that I'm working on thinking about the next task. I'm here, now. I'm engaged with what is right in front of me or who is in front of me. I'm not thinking about anything else but what is right here, now.
If you read my last article it talked about how technology has robbed us of our extended focus. It's also robbed us of our presence. We've been training ourselves through our phone use to continue to be scrolling or searching for what's next. And the problem is when we set the phone down our brains continue to search and think about what's next.
So, what's the answer? Give your complete attention to who or what is in front of you. Focus on the conversation or task at hand. We have to remember that all of our power is in the present moment. When we're fully engaged with the present, we're fully alive and allow our best self to come through.
I remember the first time this hit me during a sales conversation. For the first time I wasn't concerned about what to say next or where the conversation was heading, I was truly present, listening and more importantly feeling what the potential client was conveying.
Try it for yourself. Allow yourself to get zoned in on the present. It works and the best representation of yourself will start shining through.
All the best,
Nathan