Every leader has a past they must deal with, and a future they may dream about. Though handling past and planning future are great opportunities for personal and professional growth, it’s the present—today—that holds the most promise for every leader if we learn how to handle well whatever life through at us when we woke up this morning.
Living in the present has become culturally very difficult. Social media floods us with opinions and memories and photos of other people’s lives. Entertainment offers escape to superheroes and fantasy lands and novel adventures. Even the news of what is really happening has been so encapsulated into sound bites and video clips and mixed with tabloid gossip that we have become dulled to it. We spend so much time thinking about what might have been or what might be that we hardly have a moment to set our mind to what is.
Maybe today holds problems, crises or challenges that you prefer not to handle. If today is particularly difficult, then distractions may be highly tempting in order to avoid life’s real circumstances. Jesus Himself told us to keep our minds in the here-and-now. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Here are four ways to bring your mind into the present, so that you can make the most of the day, no matter what cards are on your table.
Focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking divides your attention, making it more difficult to complete or even process any one thing. Diversions—most notably your cell phone and all the connections it enables—add to your inability to finish and increasing your feeling of being overwhelmed. Instead, learn to focus and force yourself as much as possible to work on one task to completion.
In the morning, determine what you must get through today. Don’t make it complicated or a long list. Start with one thing, write it on a Post-It, and carry it with you all day as a reminder until completed. Silence your phone or set your notifications to give you 1-2 hours stretches of uninterrupted time. Avoid the temptation to check every email as it comes in or even answer every call or text. In almost every circumstance those things can wait as you focus on something most important. Let socializing or other diversions be a personal reward after completing your must do for the day.
Be aware of your surroundings. Screen time is detrimental to your senses. It inhibits your ability to observe and experience the typical everyday activities you are engaged in and creates a “tunnel vision” which can stunt your emotional, personal, physical and spiritual development. It’s no over-reaction: excessive screen time is linked to obesity, sleep disorders, chronic neck and back problems, depression and anxiety. You cannot live your life primarily interacting through screens. Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time…” Determine to put down time wasters and give attention instead on your present surroundings.
Include a little bit of nature in every day. Take a walk in the morning or at lunch time. Step outdoors and schedule meetings outside when you can. Don’t forget to notice your own body—close your eyes, take a deep breath, think a minute about how you are feeling today. Make it a point to make eye contact with others who are around you. Talk to people in-person at every opportunity. Your mind is tuned to help you navigate your surroundings and take notice of the people and places you encounter. Living a “screen life” denies your mind the ability to do a task that is of great personal and physical benefit to you.
Grow important relationships. Our family and friendships are among the most valuable commodities we possess in life, yet many leaders fail to capitalize on the opportunity to strengthen and grow their most important relationships. When you face challenges or difficult circumstances in the present, the greatest asset you can use to help you make a tough decision or take a hard path are the connections you have with those around you. Relationships can be encouraging, they can strengthen your resolve, they can help you clarify direction. But relationships aren’t grown through Tweets and likes. It takes time and attention, in the present, for relationships to become a priority. Hebrews 10:25 instructs, “Don’t forsake gathering and encouraging one another.”
Keeping people at arm’s length isolates you in the present, with serious negative consequences. The American Psychological Association has linked social isolation to impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at every stage of life. Simply put, failing to grow important relationships will make it harder for you to think, lead, make decisions and maintain your health. Instead, determine to make the bonds you share with others stronger by spending time with friends and family on a regular basis.
Learn how to trust. Hand-in-hand with growing important relationships is building your ability to trust others. When you don’t trust, you may obsess about other people’s actions, or default to trying to do everything yourself. Lack of trust also leads to controlling and perfectionism. And like relationships, the negative impacts of lack of trust are severe. According to ChoosingTherapy.com’s research, failure to trust can cause burnout, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or stress brought about by suspicion, anxiety and doubt.
Embracing the present includes developing your ability to trust. But what about the fact that people will often misuse or abuse that trust, and let you down? The Bible here too has a word for us in Proberbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Our first and greatest trust, then, should be in God, Who promises to guide us as we lean on His knowledge and experience. When our full trust is in God, we can also extend trust to others, knowing that sometimes people may fail us but God will never fail us or betray our trust.
Today holds tremendous promise. Whatever circumstances you find yourself facing today, avoid the temptation to run and hide, to escape into entertainment or fantasy, or to isolate in fear or distrust. No matter the level of difficulty or challenge, you have the spiritual and personal tools at your disposal to end the day one step closer to where God wants you to be.
Have you ever seen a résumé skill, “I am easy to work with?” In our me-centric culture, what does it really mean for someone to claim they are easy to work with? What does this attitude look like, and does it matter?