10 ways to always stay in the present

Everyone needs an anchor in life. Something that instills a sense of confidence and happiness during the ups and downs. A compass that points the direction of each day, protecting you from chaos and sense of meaninglessness.

Some people use relationships, position, or religion as an anchor. I believe that the best anchor is the present moment. Developing the habit of focusing on what is now, and not on what was or could be, is a sure way to a happy life. Relationships can end, positions can be lost, and religion can be misleading. The present is what is always with us.

Staying in the present is a serious exercise in concentration. When we redirect our attention to what we are doing or feeling here and now, we are able to achieve more without succumbing to fears and without experiencing stress. Here are 10 ways to develop this skill.

1. stop resisting

If you're stuck in traffic, you're stuck in traffic. You cannot focus on the present moment if you do not accept it. Even if you are currently in a situation that you don't like or want to change, accept it as part of your current reality.

2. Create pleasant moments

Even a 30-second pause, during which we pay attention to what surrounds us, can have calming effect. Many do not do this and stop only when they see something truly bewitching. But even the simplest moments of life deserve attention.

Spend 15 seconds watching the sun shine on a glass of water. Or look at the pattern of clouds in an overcast sky. Just one small effort will make you more focused.

3. Focus on action

It may seem strange, but how often do you eat without tasting the food? Or are you listening to a song without paying attention to the words? Or talk to a loved one without delving into his answers?

If you are going to do something, immerse yourself in this activity entirely. Try to highlight the flavor of each ingredient in the sandwich. Pay attention to the parts of individual instruments in a piece of music that has been heard thousands of times. Be genuinely involved with friend during a conversation.

From a productivity point of view, it doesn't matter if you are fully dedicated to a task or not, it will take the same amount of time to complete. But if you focus on what you're doing, you can get much more pleasure and peace of mind.

4. Avoid multitasking

Doing several things at the same time is not just unproductive. This makes it hard to concentrate, which is the key to staying in the present. Without the ability to effectively use your attention, you will not be able to focus on the moment.

5. enjoy the limits

The most important freedom is freedom from internal conflicts, negative thoughts, and distractions. When you have reached a high level of inner freedom, outer freedom means much less to you. This is confirmed by the stories of many people, such as Viktor Frankl - the author books Saying Yes to Life: A Psychologist in a Concentration Camp. He used his hard experience to fill life with meaning.

There will always be restrictions. Go to work, do household chores, pay taxes is an almost inevitable reality. But you can use limits to direct your thoughts to the present moment. Think of them as the rules of the amazing game called life.

6. Discipline consciousness

Where does inner freedom come from? Discipline. This is not the opposite of freedom, but its basis. To discipline your body, mind and actions means to take control of your inner forces. And it's a skill that can take years to develop.

7. Get rid of the result

Achieving goals is difficult to connect with the present moment. How can you make an effort to fulfill your dreams in the future and still live in the present? The answer is that goals determine the overall direction of your actions right now.

You can work hard towards a goal and not be consumed by it. Focus on the tasks you are doing right now, not the end result. When ideal figure, the wife on the cover or a million in the account become more important than the path to them, the goals turn into a trap. But while they help organize your current actions, you can focus on the present.

8. Be grateful

Take a few minutes and think about what or who deserves your thanks. And these are not phrases in the style of "Well, it could be worse ...". Gratitude is about being happy now, not later. It means being grateful for the interesting challenges and opportunities that life has given you.

9. Get rid of distractions

Simplify your life. When you're constantly surrounded by chaos from business, social media, and people who don't bring anything useful into your life, it's harder for you to focus on what you're doing. Rejection of everything that does not contribute to personal growthhelps to keep attention.

10. Get involved in what's happening

I do not believe that inner peace comes only to hermits in the desert. The happiest people I know are the most involved in real life.

I usually wake up knowing that I have a day ahead of me full of interesting tasks and exciting challenges. Of course, there are always moments for reflection. But the more you get involved in what is happening, the more you reinforce the habit of staying in the present and begin to live, not exist.