Present

How often are we actually “present” and thinking in the moment? Right now, while you are reading this, what are you thinking about? Are you thinking about what you are doing for lunch? Your big exam tomorrow?

And when you finally make it to lunch later in the day…Are you then going to worry about dinner? And breakfast in the morning?

When do we just sit down and enjoy the moment? Enjoy the company around us. Enjoy the present.

The biggest “first world problem” I can think of is lack of focus. Rarely, if ever, do we focus on what is currently around us. Far too often do we find ourselves cycling between apps and websites in search of curing our FOMO. I’ll argue, however, that we can get significantly more out of our days by putting the devices down, ignoring all this noise, and just living.

It is paradoxical — but it will take a significant amount of work to just do nothing but live in the moment. It will take purposeful effort, self-awareness, and reflection to put all your worries aside and live in the moment. There are always and always will be things to think about. There is always more to do and worry about.

As humans, however, we can only do one thing at a time (for the most part).

Each moment we spend worrying about something that we cannot control (at least until later), we are expending with no return.

Most of us let our minds wander and think uncontrollably. But spiraling down that path is damaging. “Controlling” your thinking to only focus on the present is really hard. Near impossible.

Most of us are controlled by what our mind wants to think about, not what we really want.

We have to make serious sacrifices to focus on what we want.

How often are you working and thinking about something else at the same time? Your facebook tab is open while you are doing homework?

Imagine how much less time you would spend “doing work” if you just focused on it, 100%, while you were doing it.

Doing things half and half is just a recipe for more time spent doing work. And if you are like me, there is tons of work I absolutely hate doing. I rather get it done fast.

Even if you enjoy working, it often makes sense, especially at a startup, to move really fast. So focusing, and being present during each task, is essential.

Startups fail because they get distracted.

People do not get what they want in life because they get distracted.

People get unhappy because they get distracted from their priorities.

Living in the moment is hard. But we can do it.

Be present. Make it count.

Originally published at gonen.blog.