Where are you right now?

How often are you engaged in a task while focused on another activity that needs to get done?

Lifecoach Cheryl Richardson’s latest newsletter is on the topic of noticing where your mind is while engaged in an activity.  She quotes some lines from Less: Accomplishing More by Doing Less, by Marc Lesser:

“We must be completely present for what we are doing, without sacrificing or rushing what’s in front of us in order to get to ‘more important’ stuff later. No matter how mundane the activity, treat everything as important and take pleasure in it. At bottom, whatever we are doing right now is what we are engaged in and it deserves our full attention and appreciation.”  

Cheryl  encourages us to do two things this week:

1. Simply notice where your mind is while engaged in an activity. You might be reading emails, watching TV, listening to a friend, or working on a project at your desk. Are you present for the activity or are you thinking about something else that needs to get done? Just bring awareness to your behavior without judging it.

2. Next, gently bring your mind back to the present activity by saying something like:

“I choose to be fully engaged in this activity right now.”

Then, use your senses to ground yourself in the present moment. What do you feel with your body? What do you hear or see? What can you taste or smell?

You’ll know you’re getting it when you feel yourself slowing down, relaxing, and breathing more deeply and fully. Then, wait for the joy.  It shows up when you slow down long enough to realize that this very moment is actually the best time of your life, regardless of what you’re doing.