How to Be Fully Present in Life

So often in life, we aren’t fully present. Our bodies are doing one thing, while our minds are thinking about something else. However, if you wish to be calmer and more focused in life, then you need to learn to be fully present in everything that you do.

If you are wondering if being fully present is an issue for you, then ask yourself this: “When was the last time that I drove to the grocery store and for the entire trip, I thought about something other than driving?” Or, “The last time that I took a shower, were my thoughts on the warm water and the soap? Was I focused on caring for my body? Or, did I spend the entire time thinking about my “To Do List”?”

It is amazing how many activities we do each day while our minds are elsewhere. We spend a lot of time on autopilot. And being on autopilot is the opposite of being present.

The Benefits of Being Fully Present

Now, you may think that being on autopilot means that you are being super-efficient. After all, you are doing two things at once! Your body is accomplishing one thing, while your mind is accomplishing something else. Isn’t that the definition of multi-tasking?

Perhaps. But unfortunately, multi-tasking is just a way to do a lot of things poorly. The benefit of being fully focused and present in everything that you do, is that you will do all things well. Realize that in order to do any task well, you have to give it your full attention.

Being present in each moment also makes us calmer. Doing multiple things at the same time is stressful. Trying to do two things at once ultimately will lead you to feel overwhelmed.

Most importantly, when you are fully present in each task, that allows you to get into The Zone. The Zone is that elusive state of mind that we all seek. When you are in The Zone, you are:

Fully immersed in what you are doing.

Doing it well.

And enjoying yourself.

Below are ways to be fully present in your life. Try following these approaches, and see how much happier, calmer and more productive you can be!

To Learn to Be Fully Present, Start Small

If your habit is to think about one thing while doing another, then learn to break that habit by starting small. Pick one simple activity and give your full attention to it.

You might start with something as simple as giving your full attention to your morning cup of coffee. Now, most of us drink our morning coffee without even thinking. But instead, try to be fully present for your morning coffee. Enjoy the smell of the coffee, and the heat of the liquid. Think about its bitter taste.

You can do that exercise with any short activity, whether it be brushing your teeth, putting on your clothes or washing the dishes. Try to be completely engaged in that one small activity. Really think about what you are doing. Consider the colors, sounds and smells that are part of your experience.

Once you get used to being fully present for the small tasks, then being present for larger tasks will become easier. And pretty soon, you will be in the habit of being fully present in everything that you do.

Focus on Being Fully Present When with Other People

It is easy to let our minds wander when we are with others. How often have you been in a conversation with someone, while your mind is elsewhere? Probably all too often.

I’ll acknowledge that sometimes when you’re in a conversation, what the other person is saying isn’t all that interesting. But conversations aren’t always about receiving critical information. Rather, sometimes the sole purpose of a conversation is for two people to make an emotional connection. The purpose is for one person to listen and the other to feel heard and cared about.

You can’t make an emotional connection with another person if your mind is wandering while that person is talking to you. Instead, you need to be fully present for that person. Consider what they are saying and feeling. If that person is upset, try to empathize with them. If the other person is celebrating an achievement, try to feel happy for their success.

The key is to give that other person your undivided attention. For example, if your child is telling you about his or her day, don’t mentally go through your grocery list while he or she is talking. If your spouse is sharing something that he or she is worried about, don’t start thinking about a work project during the conversation.

When we are fully present for others, they, in turn, feel not only heard but loved. So, work at being present in all your conversations in order to have the best relationships possible.

Adopt a Yoga or Meditation Practice to Learn to Be Fully Present

Being fully present, unfortunately, isn’t something that comes naturally to us. Our minds are easily distracted. That is why it is so important to train your brain to be present.

Two great ways to train your brain are through either yoga or meditation. I have been doing hatha yoga for many years. What I appreciate about hatha yoga is that there isn’t a lot of movement involved. Instead, you take a particular pose and hold it for a period of time. In order to hold the pose correctly, you need to focus on your body parts, from your toes to your fingers, to make sure that you are doing it correctly.

Now, if I ride on my exercise bike, I’ll watch television or listen to music. I’ll find some way to pass the time. By contrast, with yoga, I have to give my body my full attention. Yoga forces me to be fully present in the moment.

Similarly, meditation trains our minds to be fully present. In meditation, you sit in a comfortable position and simply focus on a body part or on your breathing. During meditation, you recognize when your mind wanders, and you work to bring it back to focus on the present moment.

Through both meditation and yoga, you daily can train your mind to focus to be fully present. And the more you practice being fully present, the more easily you’ll be able to be fully present throughout the day.

If you are seeking to be more fully present in life, consider adopting the approaches above. Remember that being present allows you to be mentally calmer and to be more focused. And that translates into a happier, more productive YOU!