Let's face it, with all of our technology and gadgets, enjoying the present moment can be difficult. Did I get a new text? Is my email inbox free and clear? The phone is ringing again!
But even with technology, there may be another reason why the present moment is so darn difficult to enjoy.
Unresolved commitments.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Theresa of Calcutta
If technology demands represent the tip of the iceberg, unresolved commitments are what lie beneath the surface. Sure, a buzzing phone can be annoying but the noise of an unresolved commitment can be even louder.
So what can you do to push back on the noise and enjoy the present moment more fully? Here are three suggestions:
- Write down your commitments. Sometimes called a "mind dump" by GTD enthusiasts, this method gets things out of your head and out into the world.
- Find a task management system that works for you. I like Nozbe and Producteev. You may find something like Wunderlist a more simple and perfectly satisfying tool.
- Review your commitments weekly. This could take place in a quiet space and should not take more than 30-45 minutes. I like to steal some time on a Sunday afternoon when the kids' activities are winding down.
That's it. This three step approach will work every time. I've used it now for a few years and find that it keeps things out of my head and into my system. I can then be more fully present for my kids and my wife when they need me most.
Why do you feel that the present moment is so elusive?
*photo by AMDG