comment human resources
Presenting the
“now” Chelsey Baker, business advisor and life coach, looks at the importance of living in the present “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now,” reads an ancient Chinese proverb. Advocating the importance of the present, the proverb echoes sentiments made throughout the ages by various spiritual thinkers and cultural philosophers. Whether we are in search of spirituality or simply a more successful existence, we are told that only by embracing the immediate can we get the most out of life. But what makes the ‘now’ so imperative? The simple answer is that if you’re living in search of happiness and success – and let’s face it, who isn’t? – your requirements are far more likely to take the form of immediate needs than future goals. We can only exist in the present, that fleeting moment of now; everything else can be categorized as either memory or anticipation and, as such, is beyond immediate control. If you want to have a productive and prosperous future, it is vital that you anchor yourself firmly in the present. “Seize the day,” as Roman lyrical poet Horace said; “put no trust in the morrow.” And, as all actions have consequences, so it follows that the greater wisdom and effort you can invest into today’s decisions, the greater the likelihood of tomorrow’s success. It is important to train your mind to focus on the actual seconds you are experiencing. If you can do this, you will have a better chance of maintaining 100 per cent focus: “If you have one foot in the past, and the other foot in the future, you miss the present, so stand with your feet firmly together!” Of course, to be human is to be imperfect, and although it is easy to forget this when events cause impatience or frustration, if you take a moment to allow yourself to regain perspective, anxiety will subside and you will regain
sufficient composure to concentrate on the task in hand. In time you will learn to be happy and content in whether you are doing; whether that is public speaking, performing, dealing with nerves or simply deciding what to wear. Clear your mind of idle thoughts and focus on what is happening at the very moment. Don’t be distracted by mental pictures of being somewhere else; these are manifestations from memory or imagination. Keep in mind that only the here and now can be immediately experienced; in this quiet, simple moment we can think clearly about decisions that must be made and we can, as the saying goes, see the wood for the trees. To be in this state can lead to contentment, as the anxiety of life and the battle of conflicting thoughts disappear. Whether you are compiling a future presentation to be given to a large group of people, preparing to take a business trip or having to let an employee go, being in the present will ensure you will succeed at the task in hand. We must remember that material prizes are fleeting and, in truth, will only make you happy for a short time. Endlessly coveting other people’s possessions or being ungrateful for what we do have is fundamentally negative and highly corrosive to happiness. Instead, it is far more beneficial to consider the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama, the spiritual founder of Buddhism: “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Life is fleeting and it is, therefore, a crime to waste what little time you have. A cluttered, undisciplined mind can bring confusion and frustration and when we live in our imagination, things can get totally distorted. For many, life has become a rat race and it is easy to lose sight of what is really important. While some people were born with the gift of knowing how to live in the ‘now’, for the majority of us it has to be learnt. Living in the present is the key to living life to the full and getting the most out of being alive. The best time to plant a tree may have been 20 years ago, but plant one today and you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labour a lot quicker than that. Whether you are a business CEO or entrepreneur, the practice of experiencing ‘now’ will make your life a joy to live. n
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