Do people ever tell you that you’re not being present? Do you find yourself thinking about everything and anything other than where you are? If this is the case, then there are chances that you’re not very connected to the moment. The good news is that presence is something you can learn, and all it really takes is a lot of focused and deliberate practice. In the next few paragraphs, you’ll find a few points on how to be more present.
Make Mindfulness a Habit
What does it mean to make mindfulness a habit? Simply put, this is just an expression of the idea that it’s important to fully experience every moment that you can. You take time to really mull over things in your mind before making decisions. The goal here is to truly take you time and focus on each step of the way. This ensures that you make decisive action, but remain sensitive to the outcome and how you are affected throughout the process. This high level of self-awareness can help you to spot problematic areas that you might not notice if you were going through the motions in a fog.
Listen Without Formulating a Response
When you’re having a discussion with someone, are you focused on the words that they're saying, or the words that you’re going to say when they stop talking? This is a bad habit that can lead to a lot of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. When you’re busy thinking about what you’re going to say, you’re really not listening to what the other person is saying. Not only is this a somewhat rude practice, but it also leads to one-sided conversations. Try taking in what they have to say. Really listen when they tell you something, and that way when you eventually do respond, it will be something meaningful that will make them feel valued as a friend should.
Pay Attention to Your Body
Your body is well adapted to being able to deliver clues about how it is doing. When you feel tension and stress, there is a major possibility that you’re reacting to something that is bothering you. Do your best to always get at the root of the issue instead of trying to silence the symptoms. In any case, it’s always a good idea to pay attention, because your body could be trying to warn you about any number of things.
Be Secure With What You Don’t Know
It’s impossible to see every aspect of every situation, so try to be okay with that fact. You’re probably not going to have all of the answers you need, but it you should be okay with finding out what it takes to go out and find the answers. No one will expect you to know it all, so you shouldn't expect it of yourself.