Recently, getting into the zone has been much more frequent. The whole GTD (Getting Things Done) mentality and getting into the groove is absolutely invigorating and can spark so much energy into what I’m doing!
Sometimes though, it’s so addictive being productive that our heads keep on working and doing six things at once we end up diluting our attention from what’s right in front of us!
I’m sure you can relate.
The crackberry user who misses every other part of the conversation. The stereo blasting/web-browsing/tv going simultaneously. And sometimes I see people who are at the mercy of every e-mail, voice mail or call they get.
It is so damn easy to fall into this trap!
How is it that we have all these gidgets and gadgets to get things done instantaneously and yet 9 out of 10 times people complain about not having any time?!
Time is a non-renewable resource and yet most of us let it slip away.
If it feels like time is a rare commodity and there is ‘never enough time’ then I respectfully suggest you realize your own mortality; soon you’re time’s gonna be up.
Haven’t you ever noticed that there are moments where you’re having a great conversation, extremely focused or extremely engaged in what you’re doing that time seems to literally fly by?
And at other times like when you’re empty stomached and eagerly waiting for your order at a restaurant, time is so terribly slow?
The reason: time is just a perception. Attention is what’s missing.
It is our ability to be in the present moment and put our attention to the now that time seems to bend at our will, that our focus can expand and that our abilities seem to multiply!
I recently started gauging my own perception of time and my own presence during ‘tea time.’
Usually I’ll steep tea from 2-4 minutes.
Sometimes I steep the tea and life is great.
I can just be.
Other times, I am counting every second and get extremely impatient for the ‘perfect’ cup of tea!
These two feelings and reactions are serious indicators for me now. I literally take a step back when I notice my energy gets so wrapped up on when the tea is done or I eagerly throw ’em back causing me to scald my tongue and never enjoy my sense of taste again!
If you’ve read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle then you probably know what I’m talking about.
It’s important to realize that our power actually lies in the here and now.
And on that note I will leave you with a saying a wise friend shared with me once:
“If you have one foot in tomorrow and the other foot in yesterday, then you’re pissing on yourself today.”
You know how i feel about this Oliver.
Love the acid test!…or tea test in this case!
Oliver, it’s so true how when we all engage monthly the ‘tea’ time is so relaxing. Hours pass like minutes and the night never seems to get long. It’s only with people like you, Chris, Cam and Mike this is able to happen. I would have never thought a ‘mastermind’ alliance could be so powerful and with the intelligence and experience you bring just by referencing this material proves a lot!
I love it Oliver. Having these little indicators is so powerful. One of my indicators is this: when I’m in the company of my kids, am I enjoying them, or do I see them as a nuisance. it’s all about perception. THey’ll be the same no matter what, full of energy, looking for ways to release or channel it. For me I know I’m in the moment when I’m enjoying them for who they are. When I wish they’d leave me alone, I know I’m distracted and completely not in the moment.
🙂 I most certainly do! Thanks for reading and commenting my man!
Joey, our mastermind is kick ass man! So glad I have you guys in my life to keep me pushing forward. So bloody powerful! Thanks for being there.
That’s wicked Zander! To recognize when you’re out of alignment with the moment is huge! Thanks for sharing your ‘presence’ indicator!
Good stuff! I have been growing accustomed to the idea of time being its own form of currency–sometimes much more valuable than money–and how certain aspects of life will prosper/dwindle depending on how much time you spend on different things. This post helps with that continunal accustomization.