Personal Development And The True Power Of Now

If you’re into personal development or self improvement, you’ll have some feel for the importance placed by many experts on being focused in the present moment. Ekhart Tolle’s ‘The Power of Now’ emphasizes the virtues of what might be described as presence of mind. However, Tolle, together with other personal development ‘gurus’, does not either adequately explain why ‘Now’ is so important or, indeed, give practical advice on being more present.

First off, now is the only place and time that actually exists – the past is something you learn from (although psychology proves that most people don’t learn but subconsciously live there) and the future is something that will only happen the way you’d like if you’re ready to be effective and focused in the present. Also, quantum physics suggests that the universe only exists now – and it confirms that universal energy responds to our energy – now. In simple terms, it is crucial to be present. Being present creates ‘presence’ – the true sign of all successful people.

The big problem is that normal people are not present. Our subconscious is focused in our so-called formative years, whilst our conscious mind is distracted by useless thought – thoughts tending towards negative worry and self-doubt. In fact, research suggests that the normal person is just one percent present. If that is so you’re extremely unlikely to elicit much response from an otherwise responsive universe.

Basically, it is imperative that you become more present. But what does that mean? Presence means being focused on where you are and what you’re doing now. The majority of, according to lots of surveys, are not focused on what they’re doing, they prefer to do what they’re doing whilst thinking that they don’t like what they’re doing! Also, most of us haven’t grasped the simplicity of what focus actually is. Focus means paying attention – nothing else. It means tuning into the reality of the moment, using the only mechanism that’s available to you to do this – your five senses. Your five senses are your only interface with the world. Yet we pay little attention to what our senses are telling us, preferring to let our subconscious put its own spin on reality. We use our preconceived ideas to make sense of now and, in the process, make utter nonsense of it.

You’ve got to relearn how to pay attention. We were all experts at it when we were young children. The effortless way to re-learn is to set a little time aside to re-focus one sense at a time. I’d like to suggest that you find somewhere quiet to sit tomorrow morning. Close your eyes and notice how all the sounds around you become more pronounced. They’re not, of course, it’s just that you’re paying more attention. Notice your body’s sensations – feelings that you would not notice when you’re normally all over the place. Another time you sit down for five minutes you might spend a few minutes noticing how your body reacts when you breathe. A few minutes each morning will vastly affect your ability to pay attention for the rest of the day – you’ll be more focused, more present, more in tune with what’s going on and the opportunities the moment offers.

Then you can start measuring your improved focus by reference to your results. You’ll be more responsive to people and siutations that they might otherwise fail to notice or avoid completely, you’ll be more open to doing things that you wouldn’t otherwise do. And, on the basis that the one thing that has your life stuck in a rut is the fact that you rarely do anything different, bold or brave, this can only be a good thing. As a result of your presence you will not just be open to new opportunity – you will actually create your own opportunities. The net result is that, at least, your life will move forward – in the right direction. At most, your life will never be the same – you will achieve effortless and measurable, happiness and success.