One of the ultimate ironies of all this personal development work that we do is that so much of it is about planning for the future, setting goals, and accomplishing them. Yet, we are also given the advice that we need to live in the moment. It almost appears as if we are being given two pieces of advice that seem to contradict one another. However, upon closer examination, you’ll discover that there is a tremendous power in being present.
1. Precision: Whatever the task at hand you will find that everything you do will be much more precise if you are completely present. In a sport, playing a musical instrument, and even painting something, there are mechanics that are involved. In a sport it could be timing. With a musical instrument it could be tonality. While painting, it could be your brushstrokes that require precision. When you are completely present, those mechanics become much more precise.
2. Execution: The byproduct of precise mechanics and complete presence is what appears to be almost flawless execution of a task at hand. When a surfer catches a perfect wave, a basketball player makes a game winning shot, or a symphony orchestra museum gives a solo performance that moves an audience to tears, this kind of flawless execution of the task at hand requires you to be completely present.
3. Peak Performance: All of the training, all the practice, all of the hard work boils down to one thing. How do you perform when it really counts? When does it really count? Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but only in this exact moment. In fact all of that is to ensure that you will be at peak performance capacity in this moment. If you are caught in your past or focused too far into the future, you don’t end up putting your best foot forward.
4. Detachment from the outcome: Along with living in the moment, comes a detachment from the outcome. When a basketball players puts a shot up for a last second win, it’s unlikely the questions he asks himself is “am I gonna make it?” Even that split second of focus into the future is attachment to an outcome that could detract from his or her performance in this moment.
The power of being present to sum it all up is that it puts us in the zone, the place where we really go out and into the world and produce the best results.
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