3 Undeniable Reasons To Celebrate The Present

We've all heard the phrase, "there's no time like the present."

This may be an obvious sentiment to some and an awakening to others.

There is no past.
Nor is there a future.
There is only the now - the present moment.

Decisions and actions that have already occurred are gone. Finished. Never to be experienced again. We can revel in the glow of our achievements or wallow in our perceived misgivings, but they are now, for all intent and purposes, simply a memory. Essentially, nothing ever truly happens “in the future.” Our deeds and actions only occur in the present.

I'm not suggesting that we forget our pasts. Those experiences that have already transpired are the building blocks for who we are in the present. Nor am I saying to shrug off planning for the future. What I am saying is the only time to live is now - in the present moment. Too often we're held back by our regrets of the past or our worries for the future. When we do so, precious energy is being depleted, so much so, that we aren't moving forward with our usual gusto. If we spend our time waiting for that "mythical" and "magical" perfect moment to act, we will never quite accomplish anything. We're meant for so much more...to stretch ourselves to 'play full out' and be at our greatest potential.

<span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Tips to Live in the Moment</strong></span>

Stop Thinking!
As someone who has been involved in sports for most of my life, there have been numerous times a coach or teammate has said to me, “You're thinking too much.” It may sound paradoxical, but it's true. The more time you spend thinking about something, the more it can actually impair your performance. If you're nervous in a situation and you focus on that "feeling" instead of the task in front of you, you will amplify your nerves and throw yourself off your game.

Ignore the Future (sort of!)
As a parent there are so many Kodak moments. I want to capture them all. I often catch myself being more concerned with snapping the perfect picture, instead of soaking in the moment. We all need to, metaphorically speaking, put the camera down in our daily lives and just enjoy the people, project, or experience at hand.

Smell the Roses!
Take the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around you. It can be as simple as noticing a stunning sunset while you're out for a jog; the smell of your yard after it has rained; or, savoring a cup of coffee. Do this every day. Several times a day if you can. You'll be surprised how calm and peaceful you'll become in the moment.

What specific intentions are you setting for the day in order to ensure that you stay present and accountable when it comes to expanding, not expending your energy and focus?

Live on fire!

D. Luke Iorio, CPC, PCC, ELI-MP
President & CEO
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)