From Mind Full to Mindful

Life fully loved
03 December 2023

How do you stay present in a world full of distractions?

When you’re present, you’re experiencing what’s happening in this moment. Right now, I’m sitting in a chair, writing Life fully loved. Yet it’s so hard to stay seated without my mind wandering!

I know the value of presence as a coach and as a spiritual person. When clients are fully present, they create the space to find answers to their questions. They don’t get bogged down by their past history and they don’t feel anxiety over what hasn’t occurred yet. Spiritually, I’m aware that “now” is the only moment on the time continuum where I can connect to God.

Hardwired

Some of us are wired to look to the past. I definitely fall into this category as I discussed in my Blueprints blog. Because the past is over, “finished,” I can pick it apart and see what worked and what didn’t.

What I can’t do is change it.

Others are hardwired to look forward to the next opportunity, challenge, or event. If you classify yourself as future-oriented, you may find yourself anticipating what’s next instead of enjoying the present moment. Unfortunately, you lose vitality living this way.

Regardless of your natural wiring, your feelings aren’t active in future or past points in time. You can only think about them, which means you’ve moved feelings (which can only be felt in the body) from your body to your mind.

The cost of being in your head is disconnection, literally by disconnecting feelings from your body, and figuratively, by experiencing disconnection from others.

You can only connect right now.

Getting Present Toolbox

I know many techniques for getting present and yet I struggle with it every day. Let me share some tools with you, all of which I’ve discussed in Life fully loved over the past two years:

Get Present exercise;
Adopting new perspectives;
PQ method of rubbing your fingertips
Movement
Breathwork like Box Breathing
Tapping

Challenges in Getting Present

Why does the mind chatter so much? I know The Judge saboteur judges me for thinking so much. Why can’t I let it go and enjoy the moment instead of analyzing it?

I suspect the monkey mind permits saboteurs to take charge. And you’ve learned that saboteurs don’t want resolution; they just want to be right. Saboteurs will rationalize, justify, and carry on endlessly if you allow them.

A yoga teacher told the class recently, “The mind chatters. That’s what it does.” Instead of judging myself for thinking, she’s saying accept that’s what the mind does. The mind thinks.

I have a choice, though, in how I respond to those thoughts. In that space between myself and my thoughts, choice lives.

Maybe instead of consciously giving up my thoughts, which is an active denial of the reality that only strengthens resistance, I could instead focus on becoming present.

A New Choice

I’ve created a visualization that helps me get present. I use it regularly to get into flow. Flow, as defined by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly whom I’ve mentioned before, is about getting into a “flow state” which happens when you’re fully present. Picture yourself flowing down a river, riding with the current, in a state of ease. Click here to listen to it.

You are always safe in the present moment. When you’re safe, you can connect to your Leader Within and get the guidance you need. Try it. You’ll see.

Header Photo by Wren Meinberg on Unsplash

You have to be open minded in order to grow. The coaching that Laura gave me opened my eyes to what and how I was doing things and allowed me to see the bigger picture. I am not done yet but I already see the changes in my everyday life.
MM

I think coaching is a great way to help you clear your mind when you get stuck with overwhelming situations or when stepping into changes in your life.
MO

Coaching is life changing. It pushes you outside your comfort zone and challenges your perspectives. It is highly motivating and the exercises and techniques used are both fun and informative. I think the main benefits of coaching are to see yourself, others and the world more clearly. I think coaching is valuable to anyone regardless of where you are in your life or career.
LE

I honestly never thought I’d need a coach. I thought coaching was for CEOs and industry VIPs. I didn’t think it was for the “little guys” (i.e. me). Now, I’m of the belief that everyone – yes, EVERYONE – needs a coach. Coaching has really benefitted me and I’m so grateful to have had that time with Laura. It’s changed my life!
VB

Laura is very patient. She took the time to understand what was causing me to be stuck where I am today and help me build a better vision so I can continue to grow.
MM

I think Laura’s coaching was what I had been waiting for. Laura was so approachable, kind, and open. Her willingness to help and support made a difference for me. I found in her coaching new strategies, ideas, and perspectives that I could incorporate into my goals and objectives that I didn’t see before.
MO

Laura is an incredibly intuitive, positive and caring coach. Her techniques helped me recognize both my strengths and areas I might want to explore as I embark on the next chapter of my career. The exercises she employed were instrumental in providing self perspective and challenging my frames of reference.
LE

Laura is a natural coach. Her probing and compassionate questions helped me learn about myself: my value system, interests, goals and strengths.
LM

Coaching sessions with Laura gave me new perspectives on how to process specific feelings and situations in life. She showed me how to sit with my emotions, acknowledge them, and then use visualization strategies to move through them. I now feel more confident and in control of how I choose to walk through life.
CP

From the beginning, Laura put me at ease, creating a safe, open space for me to talk and share freely without fear of judgement. I loved the variety of approaches she used depending on the topic we were working on and it was fun being able to try out things I wouldn’t have considered before! With Laura’s coaching, I substantially grew my confidence in the workplace, overcame fears, dealt with issues I’d been carrying around for many years and, most importantly, learned to value myself and define a path forward into the future.
AG

Laura’s coaching was a breath of fresh air and EXACTLY what I needed at that point of my life. I didn’t realize how impactful coaching was going to be, but by the end of the sessions together, I left feeling refreshed, inspired and genuinely curious about what my future held for me. Because of Laura and her coaching, I believe I became a better person – someone who is more open-minded, someone with a clearer focus, and someone who is willing to explore opportunities and possibilities far more than I ever did before.
VB

I engaged Laura for coaching as I took on an expanded role leading an asset management company in Canada. As a female, I knew I would be a role model and had high expectations of myself. I was feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

In our first few coaching sessions we worked through exercises that allowed me to reflect on my purpose, leadership style and what mattered most to me. I continue to be grounded by the clarity I achieve in my coaching sessions – allowing me to be resilient and confident when challenges came my way.
OS