Right Here… Right Now
March 2012 by Sharon Dillard
For some of us, the holidays are the most stressful time of year. But for me, it’s the several weeks after the holidays that really stress me out. This is when all the fun and bustle of the holidays is over and it’s back to work on all the projects we left for “later.”
Whenever I’m anxious about the future or worried about the past, I try to remember what a very old but wise horse trainer once told me. Breathe. Stay in the moment, right here, right now. Do you know how hard this is to do?
We live in an age of distractions, yet technology often impinges on our ability to pay attention to the future. I find myself fantasizing at work about being on vacation. On vacation I worry about the work piling up on my desk. I don’t appreciate living in the present because our “monkey mind” (as Buddhists say) jumps from thought to thought like monkeys swinging from tree to tree.
Realizing that I was letting my worries hinder my ability to work to my full potential, I began to do some research on how I could center myself so I could become a better person in all aspects of my life.
Here are few discoveries that help me stay in the present moment:
Recharge: I finally got tired of being sick and tired. Our bodies require energy to manage tough situations, and stress drains you. I had to figure out ways that I could get back in the game. I knew that a simple gym membership would not do the trick, and that I would only find myself yawning and leaning on the machines. I finally found something – spin class! For me, a set time and place with others struggling beside me was the ticket. Knowing that we are all here for the same reason keeps me going and coming back for more.
Renew: Once I started losing sleep, only then did I realize how important it was to get a good night’s rest. Getting back into a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time, even on the weekends, has renewed my energy during the day.
Breathe: Funny, but I forget to do this. Simple as it sounds, it works! Try it. Take a moment right now and slowly breathe in. Now breathe out. Deep breaths help me focus and center me. I do this in the car to and from work. I also try to remember to do this when I’m in a situation that is unfamiliar or strange, as it helps release the fear that comes along with it.
Getting off the grid: One day a week, I try to unplug. I read instead of watching television (with my favorite classical music planning quietly in the background). I do this on what I call my “Sanity Sundays.” It helps me get focused so I can gather my thoughts for the week ahead.
Trading on the grid: Here’s my trade off for my Sanity Sundays. If I get to a point where I can’t get ahead at the office because of all the distractions that come with running a business, I do a trade off. I take off on Friday and go down to the office on Sunday. I get three times as much work done. This totally frees me up so I can be more productive during the week .
Multi-tasking: I’m so tired of doing ten things at once and fighting with myself. Ever notice that person who says that they can juggle twenty things seems to be in a foul mood more often than not? I’d rather do one thing at a time and be present (and happy) than juggle ten things and forget I’m doing it at all. Or do all of them poorly.
Flow: I realize that I can’t control everything. But it’s hard to roll with the punches sometimes. When this happens, I try to breathe and remind myself that other people must have the freedom and trust to do their jobs. As long as the outcome is good, letting go of the micromanaging.
Being in the moment: General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt said, “Do every job like you’re going to have it forever. People start to get derailed when they say [about a task], ‘This one is beneath me.’ Being the best ______ (fill in the blank yourself) you can be, in the moment, is very rewarding.”
When I get anxious, fretting about all the things I need to do, phone calls to return, projects to put back on the front burner, I keep these tips in mind to be right here, right now. Just sayin’.
Published: Apartment News Magazine – March/April issue 2012
Sharon Dillard is the award-winning CEO of Get A Grip Inc., a national franchise kitchen and bathroom resurfacing company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
March 02, 2012 at 10:51 am, Cubby said:
Thanks for writing this, I forget to do this. Right Here… Right Now!
March 06, 2012 at 8:29 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks, Cubby
March 02, 2012 at 11:27 am, Carrie Swartz said:
Sharon, what a great article! It is so hard to stay present and yet, so important to do! Thank you for all your inspiration. I am going to work on that “breathing” thing!!
March 02, 2012 at 11:32 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Carrie, it works for me – just wish I could remember it when I’m in a tight. Thank you!
March 02, 2012 at 1:37 pm, Brandi Dillard said:
All great information and it comes at a great time for me. 🙂
I am working on “me” more. I joined the gym and my outlet is a body combat class 3 times a week. A happy mom and wife equals a happy home. My son even told me yesterday, “Mom, you seem so happy now that you are exercising again.” And I am! I feel better and have a better attitude when it comes to the grind and knocking work out.
March 05, 2012 at 9:30 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Brandi, It’s amazing how much energy that you get from exercising, glad that you’re back in the game. Thanks for the comment!
March 02, 2012 at 2:54 pm, Clifton said:
Just did one of my favorite breathing exercises – thanks for the reminder!
March 05, 2012 at 9:19 am, Sharon said:
Thanks, Clifton. The breathing thing has really helped me.
March 03, 2012 at 9:42 am, Margie Disque said:
You are SO right, girlie. Thanks!
March 05, 2012 at 9:22 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks, Margie!
June 18, 2012 at 7:23 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks for the comment!
March 03, 2012 at 6:10 pm, John said:
Being the best “me” I can be, in the moment, is very rewarding.”
I always try to do the very best I can at anything I’m doing. That way if someone isn’t satisfied with my results it becomes their challenge, not mine. I already did the very best I could do! What I find though is by doing my best the first time there are very few complaints……..
March 05, 2012 at 9:25 am, Sharon Dillard said:
John, Thanks you are the best example of doing your best everyday!
March 05, 2012 at 11:29 am, Triana said:
I love the “get off the grid” idea! Definitely going to pick up a book this weekend!
March 06, 2012 at 8:25 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Triana – Good for you girl! Thanks for the feedback!
March 05, 2012 at 3:16 pm, Gina Dillard said:
Wonderful tips! Especially the “Sanity Sundays”!! I love that! On multi-tasking: unfortunately it’s a necessary evil these days. I find that having a written task list makes me stay focused & is rewarding when I can mark off each task as its completed.
March 06, 2012 at 8:28 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Gina – Me too! Love my “Sanity Sundays” and yes making a list and checking it off really keeps me centered… Right here… Right now.
June 18, 2012 at 4:40 am, Anthony said:
That’s a sharp way of thininkg about it.
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July 05, 2012 at 10:57 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thank you, Mary Ellen. Hope that you will continue to read my blog. I post a new article every other month.
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July 06, 2012 at 6:15 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks, Rossie! Glad that you like the blog.
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