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Being present means you are fully focused and engaged in the present moment, or here and now, that you are in.  Learning how to be present means being mindful about aligning your goals with your passion and purpose.  Being present becomes a way to deal with the stress, problems, and distractions you may face in the moment you are in.

By being present in the moment, you are more committed, purposeful, and deliberate about what’s most important to you.  When you are present, you give your full attention and focus to the people or situations you experience in that moment.

Being present is important if you want to increase your focus, reduce stress, and improve your mindset.

In this article, I will share the benefits of being present and outline six tips to help you learn how to be present every day.  Learning how to be present will help you live in the moment, pay attention to the small things, and increase your gratitude.

Being present meaning

Being present means enjoying and experiencing the moment you are in.  When you are present in the moment you are mindful and aware of your thinking and actions allowing you to give your full focus and attention.

By learning to be present, you focus on the most important thing in front of you while everything else becomes unimportant.

Being present means life becomes more enjoyable, and you experience it in full technicolour. Living in the present moment gives you clarity and helps you become intentional.

By learning to be present, you can mentally and emotionally focus on the most important things in your life, which can transform your energy, focus, and actions.

The benefits of being present 

There are many benefits to being present.  Practising living in the moment elevates your physical, emotional, and mental experiences.  When you are present, you get to create your future rather than worrying about the past.

Learning to be present gives you greater focus and concentration on what you are doing and who you are, which removes distractions.  You become a better listener, a better problem solver, set better goals, work smarter, and clarify what is important to you.

When you are present, you are more aware and mindful about who and what you are experiencing.  As a result, your experiences improve.

6 ways to practice being present 

Here are 6 ways to practice being present daily.

1. Focus on the one thing

It can be tough to be present when your mind is cluttered or distracted.  To be present, focus on one thing in the present moment and give that task, project, or person your full attention.

We often spend time contemplating the past or thinking about the future that we forget to be present in the moment.  To be present, concentrate on what is in front of you right now and give that your full attention.

Decide on one thing or person to concentrate on right now and give it your focus.  Read more about improving focus.

2. Appreciate what you have  

Gratitude and appreciation for what you have will help you become present in the moment. To be present, take a moment to write down everything you are grateful for or have achieved in the last 30 days.

Then, take time to read through your list and acknowledge and appreciate what you have and what you’ve done.

This gratitude mindset exercise will take your head out of the past and stop you from focusing on the future.  It will allow you to think about and focus on the people, projects, and things that are most important to you right now.

They will take on a deeper meaning and importance because you have taken the time to focus on where you are right now.  Read more about practicing gratitude.

3. Create in the moment

The real opportunity for you is not out there in the future. It is right here. Right now. You can create bigger and better goals and experiences in your life by learning to live in the moment.

The best way to do this is to slow down.  Look at what you have in front of you and give yourself the time to understand what opportunities currently exist for you.

Take a moment to create new and exciting goals for the next 30 days.  Clarify what matters most to you and spend more time doing them.  As a result, you can cut out the things in your life that do not serve you anymore.  Read more about goal setting.

4. Be intentional

Being intentional helps you stay grounded and focused in the moment.  If you want to improve your ability to live in the moment, be more intentional.

One of the most desirable capabilities to develop is to be present in the moment.  It is easy to get distracted and feel overwhelmed.  It is easy to be pulled back into the past or gaze into the future when things are difficult.  But the present moment is where the power is to create real change.

Being intentional about where to invest your time and energy helps you focus on the here and now.

5. Become a better listener

Have you had the experience of a conversation where the other person isn’t focused and listening to what you’re saying?  Doesn’t feel great, does it?  Learning to live in the moment will make you a better listener.

Being a better listener will benefit your personal life and professional life.  When you are present in the moment, you will listen better to the other person.  You will appreciate the other person and create new insights.  The other person will appreciate being listened to and your relationship will strengthen and grow.

6. Stay in the present moment  

To create the future you want, live in the moment.  We often spend time ruminating on the past or thinking about the future instead of being in the moment.

Memories of uncomfortable or negative situations from the past can stop you from capturing opportunities in the moment or making forward movement.

Many people are stuck in the future, consumed by thoughts of what could be rather than what they can create.  They waste hours and days contemplating, visualising, and thinking about the future.  When you live in the moment, you can take productive action to create your ideal future.

Summing Up 

Sometimes you need to start to live in the moment.  If you slow down and give yourself time to think and analyse opportunities, the biggest ones are in front of you.

Being focused in the moment is where the best opportunities are. Stay out of constantly thinking about the future and look at what is in front of you.  Look at what you can change and transform in the moment.

Further reading 

6 ways to be intentional every day

How to be a good listener: 8 powerful tips 

About the Author

Mark Pettit is a UK business coach and accountability coach based in Colchester, Essex, UK.  He is the Founder of the accountability coaching company Lucemi Consulting.

Mark provides business coaching programs and accountability coaching programs to entrepreneurs and business owners in Essex and Suffolk.  He also provides online business coaching and accountability coaching to business owners in the UK, the US, and Canada.

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Productivity Planner by Mark Pettit of Lucemi Consulting

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