By Georgina El Morshdy
It’s exciting to think about hitting a big goal or getting to a date in your calendar that you’re excited about. Our ability to dream and imagine is one of the most powerful tools we have as a human. We’re able to visualize possible futures and fantasize about how life could feel if only we could make these desires a reality.
It’s a balancing act.
If you live too much in the future, you miss out on the here and now - and that’s a problem. In the words of spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, “The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is.”
This idea is supported by many other teachers too.
Zig Ziglar stresses the importance of the journey too. He said, “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
And Wayne Dyer said, “Your relationship with the now is your relationship with life.”
It leaves us with a question. How can you make the most of the present moment to experience more success, fulfillment, and happiness in life?
Here are THREE powerful techniques to try.
1. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is about increasing your awareness of the present moment by noticing your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations and being ‘ok’ with what is.
When we’re mindful of the present, we’re aware of what’s occurring in the moment. In turn, we increase our personal power. When you can engage with the now and sink into the experience without judgement or distraction, you can unlock more peace, calm, and clarity.
But it’s not always easy!
The average human has around 70,000 thoughts per day. Our brains can be extraordinarily chatty and noisy; it can take time and practice to quieten the mind so you can feel the peace within.
But the benefits are proven…
If you cut the amount of time you spend worrying about the past and the present, you can put all your energy into what’s truly happening NOW.
In turn, you can make better decisions as well as unlock more creativity.
You can benefit from as little as 10 minutes of mindfulness practise a day. To help you cultivate this powerful habit, we created a 31-day mindfulness challenge. Thousands of people have taken this challenge so far. Now you can join them.
2. Check in with your Core values
Making impactful decisions is an essential skill for your best self to master.
Every moment is an opportunity to make a new choice - the question is, in what direction will you head?
Checking in with your Core Values is a powerful practice that can help you make decisions aligned with the things you care about most. The more life you live in alignment with your Core Values, the happier you’ll feel - because more of your time will feel purposeful.
Let me show you how this works…
Let’s say it’s the weekend and you haven’t yet made plans. You know you want to do something, but you’re not sure what. Your Core Values can give you an insight into what choice will make you happiest. For example, if you have a Core Value of ‘ADVENTURE’, you might enjoy taking a spontaneous road trip. If you have a Core Value of ‘GROWTH,’ you’ll probably get a lot of satisfaction attending an event or reading a book that opens a new level of thinking.
The more you know yourself and what makes you tick, the more you can navigate life in a way that feels best.
You can discover your Core Values with the help of the Core Values Deck.
3. Reflect in your journal
Reflection is a powerful tool that can ground you in the present moment. When you get real with what is, you feel inspired to take responsibility for your life and control it. Sometimes, we can overlook things we know we need to resolve. It’s easier to push them off for another time rather than biting the bullet and jumping in.
Your journal is a safe space that can hold you - whatever you need to express and reveal.
The act of writing things out can be cathartic and releasing. With your truth revealed, there’s no more hiding or denying. Instead, you empower yourself into a position where you can decide in the moment powerfully.
Journaling also helps you connect to that deeper part inside that has all the answers. When you’re able to access your inner wisdom, you’ll likely uncover insights, ideas, and decisions that will help you take your next steps with more clarity and ease.
Check out this podcast to discover six reflective practices that you can explore in your journal NOW.
Alice Morse Earle said, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
How will YOU make the best use of this present moment? I hope the ideas in this article have given you some ideas to explore.
