How to Engage in the Present

Do you remember the last thing you did that made you completely lose track of time? Maybe you forgot to eat or continued far into the early morning.

Being fully engaged leads to a happier and more fulfilling life. When we are engaged, the present moment is justified. Design a more fulfilling life by noticing and engaging in activities for the sake of the experience.

Self-awareness has been an exploration focus since my college years. Here some great ideas that I have gleaned from my research:

1. Notice When You Lose Track of Time

Identify flow activities by noticing when you lose track of time. When you were a child, what projects did you undergo for the fun of it? When no one told you what to do, what came naturally?

“Lose yourself. Immerse in activity. Emerge stronger.”

Check out “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero for more on getting into your groove. She has some great stories about her teenage Crotch band. Also, check out “Flow, the Psychology of Optimal Experiences,” by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, and learn to turn see challenges as enjoyable growth.

2. Purposely Explore New Ideas

As children we’re naturally curious. At some point we get really serious and stop learning. Developing a curious mindset keeps you in a place of learning and helps you to turn obstacles into challenges.