Guarantee A Better Tomorrow by Focusing on Today

Jul

2010

We all have those things in life we desire. We envision the future and how great it will be when all we desire comes to fruition and we see that all of our hard work has paid off. In fact, a large part of our motivation for working hard today stems from our strong desire to be successful and happy in the future.

We are convinced that once we accomplish what we have set out to do, we will by all means have the happiness and sense of fulfillment we have been looking for. All we have to do is to get there. To find our way to this perfect future we have designed for ourselves.

So, we focus a significant amount of our attention and energy on thinking about where we want to be. We look forward to the future and think about all we are going to have, all we are going to accomplish and how great we are going to feel. Life will really be great once the future finally comes.

And, while there certainly is nothing wrong with setting goals, envisioning them coming to fruition and working toward success, we must always be careful of one thing…

The alternaview

The most important thing we should prioritize and place the majority of our focus and attention on is how we are living and experiencing this moment right now. There is nothing that is more important than the moment that is currently in front of you.

Yes, it is great to have goals and to put some of our attention and energy toward envisioning success and a great future. However, we can never let where we desire to go or what we want to accomplish overshadow the current moment.

Don’t wait for tomorrow to really start living and appreciating what is right in front of you. Don’t get caught up in hoping that tomorrow will be better or that once you have finally accomplished something then you will really be able to live and experience life in an amazing way. You can’t look so much forward to where you are going that you miss out on enjoying what is happening today.

What is currently right in front of you is available to be experienced in the most amazing ways.

Every moment is yours to seize.

And, that means you have to be able to pour all of your passion and energy into the current moment. It means you have to find your way to the truth that there is nothing more perfect or more fulfilling then really being able to live and experience the present moment in a great way. It means you really have to believe that your most important goal is to be totally in the moment.

This is the way life was meant to be lived.

We live in such a way that we really get everything there is out of each experience. Our mind isn’t running about focusing on what has happened, what we need to do, where we will be tomorrow, what we will accomplish in the future.

Our focus is right where it should be … moment after moment. We have figured out how to deeply connect with the current moment and our life consists of many of these moments strung together.

It’s not about thinking that one day you will get there, but realizing you are already there.

How to use this alternaview:

1. Know that today is just as great as tomorrow. You have to really believe that today and everything that comes your way today can be experienced in a great way. It’s about realizing that the point in time you are currently experiencing is perfect in its own way.

2. Be cool with the current moment. You have to accept whatever may come your way. You can’t have any resistance, subtle or otherwise, to what you are currently experiencing. If you think things should be better or if you think you should be making more progress or have any other type of resistance to what you currently are experiencing…let go and just be cool with the current moment. Resistance will always work against you so let it go.

3. Don’t run away from the moment with thought. Don’t allow your thoughts and what is running through your mind to overshadow the current moment. Place as much of your attention as you can on what you are currently doing. Intensely focus on what is right in front of you and what you are doing. Don’t get lost in a stream of thoughts.

4. Pour your passion into the moment. Make it your goal to really take advantage of the present moment. Do all you can to put all your passion and energy into what you are doing right now. Aim for performing with the highest quality.

5. Realize the connection. Really understand that how you are doing what is currently in front of you will impact what happens in the future. Each moment we experience is connected to the next and the better we live each moment, the better the next one will be. Allow that to serve as your motivation to experience the current moment in the best way.

6. Get rid of any hidden negativity. Frustration, impatience, annoyance, anger or any other negative emotion will work against your ability to experience the moment in a great way. If you notice any of these rising to the surface, allow them to pass through your system without getting caught up in any of these negative emotions.

Conclusion

Enjoy what is currently in front of you and take advantage of the experience being offered to you. It is not that we don’t work toward goals, but rather that we invest a significant amount of energy and focus to living right now in a great way. And, amazingly once we shift the majority of our focus and live out the current moment in a great way, attaining our goals and our desires comes naturally … that is the alternaview.

Do you agree with this alternaview? Are you really living and focusing on what is currently in front of you. Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Sign up for the Living Better Bonus Kit

Sign up for FREE and receive all the new articles and FREE Instant Access to the Bonus Kit updated regularly with tools to really help you live TODAY in an Amazing way.

Leave a Comment

{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }

Grampa Ken July 15, 2010 at 7:49 am

That’s a bad habit of our times isn’t it Sybyl? In hoping to be happy about something in the future, instead of being happy right now, we are so missing out. Many of us are looking forward to more time, money for that new purchase, a better job, better health. If our day has been preoccupied with thoughts of enjoyment that might be coming, we will have lost something valuable that will be gone forever. Today!

Henry Ward Beecher put it this way; “No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy the sunlight today, mix good cheer with friends today, then enjoy it and bless God for it. Do not look back on happiness or dream of it in the future. You are only sure of today; do not let yourself be cheated of it.”
.-= Grampa Ken´s last blog ..Does Business Govern the World =-.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 9:02 am: Grampa Ken: Welcome to the alternaview and thanks so much for the comment. I really appreciated that quote you shared and it just drives the point home. You only have the current moment in front of you and you need to do all you can to take advantage of really appreciating and living in the current moment. Thanks again for the comment. I really appreciate it.

Reply

Preeti @ Heart and Mind July 15, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Sibyl,

I like this very much! Often times we are so focused on tomorrow or our future, we put all our energy and passion for tomorrow’s fruit, which is a good thing as long we not forget to enjoy today.

I admit, I have done this a few (okay a lot) of times doing things for future or even worse I have put my energy on useless stuff. Good subject as always!

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 9:03 am: Preeti: Always so good to hear from you. I think we all have to admit that we have done this a few times I think the key is just realizing that we need to turn our attention to the current moment and what is currently in front of us. We have to put all our energy and passion on today and then tomorrow really will be great. Thanks so much for the comment and always stopping by the alternaview.

Reply

Alien Ghost July 15, 2010 at 3:44 pm

Hi Sibyl,

It is amazing when we consider that we know we should experience the present intensely yet we keep falling back to the daydreaming of a better tomorrow.

One of the elements that personally helps me concentrate in the now and enjoy it is when I see someone with more problems than I, like someone tied to a wheelchair or someone who is blind, then I can remember how lucky I am and all the things I can do, and tomorrow will be another day and all the goals, especially material, are not really that important, so to keep working towards that future without giving for granted the precious present time

Raul
.-= Alien Ghost´s last blog ..Blogging and Telepathy =-.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 9:05 am: Raul: Thanks so much for the comment. I agree that it is easy to fall into the trap and slip out of really living and experiencing the current moment. It is important to have things that draw your attention back to where it should be. I think that is a very important point and a great insight. Thanks so much for sharing it.

Reply

revieWant.com July 16, 2010 at 12:26 am

I was very encouraged to see this site. I wanted to thank
special reading. I enjoyed every bit of it and I
Bookmark and share something new check post.

revieWant.com July 16, 2010 at 12:44 am

good information
thanks for sharing info
.-= revieWant.com´s last blog ..Tools to Monitor Your Website =-.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 9:05 am: Thanks for stopping by the alternaview and sharing your comment. I am glad that you enjoyed the post. Have a great weekend.

Reply

Hilary July 16, 2010 at 1:59 am

Hi Sibyl .. how true .. we have to get through today first. It certainly makes life easier if we focus on today’s essentials .. planning for tomorrow, without going there as such.

I’m having a major clear out, move, declutter etc .. so that I will be able to concentrate only on those things that are necessary in life .. and have time for the important things .. caring, being empathetic, focusing on those around me .. and all the things I know will help me .. meditating and understanding more.

Focus on today – and that is what I intend to do .. as there is a lot to get done .. Many thanks – always good to read some down to earth common sense! We so often slip away .. to dream .. not a good thing – put into practise today those things that will help tomorrow – have a good weekend .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..A Century of Aces Afghanistan to Zimbabwe =-.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 9:08 am: Hillary: Thanks so much for the comment. Keep me updated on the uncluttering project. I am definitely curious to hear how it is going for you. I think you make a very good point … You need to remove whatever distractions and things that are cluttering your ability to really focus and pour your passion into the current moment. Once you do that and really engage with what is right in front of you, you really open yourself to experiencing life in the greatest way.

Reply

Marion July 16, 2010 at 2:55 am

Hi Sibyl

I really enjoyed this post.

It made me think about a saying “the grass is always greener on the other side” and I think we often look to our future thinking that it will better than today just as you said.

Recently I read a comment which said that perhaps the grass is always greener on the other side because the people over there look after it better.

How well tomorrow goes depends totally on how good we made today. If we appreciate and attend to every moment tomorrow’s grass will be beautiful too.

Have a great weekend
.-= Marion ´s last blog ..Self confident people don’t worry about what you think of them =-.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 8:59 am: Marion: Thanks for the comment and I really appreciated the comparison you made to the grass always being greener on the other side. It is so easy to buy into the thinking that the future will be better and then of course being disappointed when the future comes and doesn’t live up to your expectation. There is just something more that we can’t lose sight of and I totally agree with you that how good we made today determines our tomorrows. Thanks for the comment.

Reply

Marko -- Calm Growth July 16, 2010 at 11:13 am

Sibyl, of course I agree with this article…
I am grateful because I realized what it means to live in the present moment. As someone switched on the light in my life. And it’s so natural, the child would understand..

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” — Buddha.
.-= Marko — Calm Growth´s last blog ..Why Some People Make Mistakes And Still Have Success =-.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 8:57 am: Marko: Thanks for the comment and sharing the insights of Buddha. I really liked that quote and it points us right to the truth we already really know … there is nothing better than truly being able to live in the present moment. I have a very similar experience to you in terms of the light switching on … I think the light is getting brighter and brighter slowly but surely. Thank you again for the comment and stopping by the alternaview.

Reply

Angela Artemis July 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Sibyl,
This was superb! I spent most of my early adulthood living in the future.
When I got promoted – then I’d by happy.
When I got the home of my dreams – then I’d be happy
When I weighed a certain weight – then I’d be happy…….
It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I realized I was wasting my life living in the future and not enjoying the present moment.,

You are very wise indeed!

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 8:54 am: Angela: Always so great to hear from you and what you said is so true. It is too easy to fall into the trap of looking forward to a better tomorrow and thinking that you happiness is going to be delayed until a point in the future. The reality is just as you said … you can end up wasting your opportunity to really live right now in a great way. Why wait for tomorrow, when you can have everything you possibly could need today. Thanks so much for the comment.

Reply

Aysel July 16, 2010 at 3:20 pm

I was working so hard for a better tomorrow, placed all my hopes on it, so now, that “tomorrow” seems to be finally here, I realize that happiness is as distant as ever…I can set up different goals, work even harder but something is telling me it will still be same old disappointment. I remember watching a movie, where a gangster who had the whole city under control confesses – “All my life I’ve been climbing up a mountain, killed so many people in order to get on top. And when I finally got there – I saw nothing”. Maybe the analogy is a bit extreme, but the outcome is the same for all of us: if we cannot appreciate life in a present moment, we are very likely to find the same “nothing” once we get we were heading.
.-= Aysel´s last blog ..Thank You- Silent Words =-.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 8:51 am: Aysel: Thank you so much for the comment and the real world examples. What you said is so true … if we get so caught up in tomorrow and what we think it is going to be for us, we will overlook the opportunity that is staring in our face right now to be happy. That is just not the formula we should follow if we really want to build our future and experience what it really means to live right now in a great way. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by the alternaview.

Reply

Mark July 16, 2010 at 3:31 pm

Very well done! Living in the now is always the best place to live! Being happy now is so much better than being when …

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 8:49 am: Mark: Hey … hope all is going well. There really is not anything better than living in the now. I couldn’t agree with you more. Being happy now is what it is all about. Thanks so much for the comment.

Reply

Percival J. Meris July 17, 2010 at 2:50 am

Thinking about the future and neglecting the present produces nothing constructive. It is all dreams without action. Yes, the future is our destination – our destiny, but the present is our opportunity. If we let this opportunity pass by, we lose it. Today gives us the opportunity to build our future. The future does not do this. But as we build in the present to make our dreams of the future a reality, we are guided on the right actions by the lessons of past experiences.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 8:48 am: Percival: I think you summed it up perfectly. The present is our opportunity. We have to take advantage of what is there right in front of us. That is really the only way to live and the way we live in the current moment determines our future ones. Thanks so much for the comment.

Reply

Joshua Noerr July 17, 2010 at 8:04 am

I’ve always said every tomorrow eventually becomes today, so that is the only day that should get your attention. Great stuff once again Sibyl.

Sibyl July 17, 2010 at 8:47 am: Hey Josh. I really like that one … and it points you right to the truth. There is nothing else but the moment that is really in front of you so you might as well really embrace what is right in front of you. Glad you liked the post and thanks for the comment.

Reply

Dia July 17, 2010 at 1:41 pm

Very nice post Sibyl! Many people concentrate on the past or future and completely ignore the present time “today.” If we want to lead a happy and successful life, it is very crucial to focus on today and live each minute. Thanks for sharing
.-= Dia´s last blog ..Improve your confidence =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 9:00 am: Dia: Thanks for the comment and the kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the post. You are so right that it is crucial to focus on today and live each minute as best we can. That is really what is all about and the current moment is the only moment we can really impact. Once we realize that and take advantage of that, it is amazing how much life opens up for us in the future. Thanks again for the comment. Have a great day.

Reply

Farnoosh July 18, 2010 at 6:55 am

An old concept but in fresh words of Sibyl. Pouring my passion into the moment. I really need to start meditating again! Thank you Sibyl, as always, you put a smile on my face, one that I plan to keep on all day TODAY, regardless of what Tomorrow brings!

Wilma Ham July 18, 2010 at 9:30 pm

Hi Sibyl,
I remember sitting in the plane when migrating to my new country I knew nothing about and how I totally wanted to be in the future, at least 2 years from that frightful moment of staring into the unknown.
It wasn’t until I got a grip on myself, getting back into the ‘now’ that I realized there was nothing else. The past was gone, the future was totally unknown, all I had was the moment of being in the plane. That sure eased the panic to just focus on my food I had in front of me. That was a great moment of understanding that being in the now is all that counts and kept me sane.
xox Wilma
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Ego rejects love and intimacy =-.

Farnoosh July 18, 2010 at 9:37 pm

Love reading Wilma’s stories and insights wherever she is….I have wanted to be in the past but never in the future….So this is an interesting wish to read about!
.-= Farnoosh´s last blog ..A Transfer of Passion- How I fell in Love with French =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:56 am: Farnoosh: Isn’t Wilma great? I think that is great that you have never fallen into the trap of wanting to be in the future. That means you are even more likely to be focusing on the current moment and there is nothing better I am glad that you found the post interesting and thanks so much for always stopping by the alternaview.

Reply

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:58 am

Wilma: Thank you so much for that real world example. It really is a great example for all of us and shows us exactly what is meant by living in the current moment. It is all about focusing on what is right in front of you. The reality is that you don’t know the future and if you continually worry about it, you can really work yourself about it. The only thing you can really impact is the current moment and what is right in front of you. You might as well take advantage of that and when you do, the worry will just disappear. Thanks again for the comment.

Anna Haller July 18, 2010 at 11:31 pm

I agree with you Sibyl, most of the time we focus on the future that we forget living in the present but what we need to do is embrace both and live each and every day to the fullest. If we do this than we should know that our future will be better which can help us stop worrying about it too much. I like to worry but know that there is so much to worry about it just takes too much time to do that, especially over the things I cannot control. Thanks for reminding me to live in the moment!

Anna
.-= Anna Haller´s last blog ..List building with Rodger Hyatt =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:54 am: Anna: Living in the moment. That is really what it is all about just as you said. It is great to take brief glimpses into the future, but the majority of our focus and attention should be right in front of us. I think what you shared is key as well about eliminating worry. When we are totally engaged in teh current moment and giving all we can to it, there is now way we can also be worrying about the future. It shifts your attention in the best way when you are only concerned with what is right in front of you and doing it in the best way you can. Thanks again for the comment. I really appreciate it.

Reply

Giulietta Nardone July 19, 2010 at 6:12 am

Hi Sibyl,

Good reminder article about living in the moment. Love #3. They’ve got us galloping faster and faster to the end’s of our lives. Time to pull up our horses and go in a different direction, one that allows us to enjoy our lives while we’re on the planet!

thanks. Giulietta
.-= Giulietta Nardone´s last blog ..Have you worn other people’s faces =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:52 am: Giuletta: Thanks for stopping by the alternaview and thank you also for the comment. I really appreciate it. Faster and faster… that is such an easy trap to fall into. When we are trying to accomplish big things, it seems logical to always look forward to tomorrow and go as fast we can. However, we really do have to take a time out and remember there is nothing more important than the moment right in front of us. Thanks again for the comment.

Reply

Frank July 19, 2010 at 10:36 am

Each and every day that goes by gives us an opportunity to change the direction of our lives. So often we spend time planning our futures that we forget to live in the present. We want to see the credits before the movie starts. I agree that is so important to focus on today because tommorrow which will come isn’t promised. Great Job!
.-= Frank ´s last blog ..I Will Kill You… =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:50 am: Frank: Thanks so much for the comment. I really liked what you said about wanting to see the credits before the movie starts. You always have such catchy phrases. I was actually reading your post last night and laughing and now I am laughing again. It is so true though. We always want to see the credits and know exactly how things will play out before we invest the time and work toward something. However, we really do need to live in the present moment and focus on today. The credits will always come. Thanks for making me laugh (again). Have a great day.

Reply

J.D. Meier July 19, 2010 at 1:27 pm

> The most important thing we should prioritize and place the majority of our focus and attention on is how we are living and experiencing this moment right now
Too true — this is where it all happens.

Two questions I used to guide myself are:
1. what’s the next best thing for me to do?
2. Who do I want to be and what experiences do I want to create?

… and I shape my way forward one story, one moment at a time, while living in the moment.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Selecting the Customer =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:37 am: J.D. Thanks for the comment. I thought that last statement you shared was so great … shaping your way forward one story, one moment at a time, while living in the moment is really what is all about. I think if we can really master how to continually do that, life will open us up for in ways we may have never imagined were possible. Thank you also for sharing those 2 questions. I think they are definitely good guides and reminders of the bigger picture. It is easy to get lost in the weeds and sometimes we really do have to make certain we are elevating our thinking and looking at things from a different perspective. Thanks again for the comment.

Reply

Nea | Self Improvement Saga July 19, 2010 at 9:25 pm

When I find myself getting frustrated about not being “there” yet, I just remind myself that life is about the journey–not just the ends. The in-between time, the present moment, is all there truly is. The time between goals and endpoints is where we learn, grow, create, and evolve.
.-= Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..How to Feel Great and Keep a Smile on Your Face =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:35 am: Nea: Thanks so much for the comment. I couldn’t agree with you more that the time between goals and endpoints is where the real learning happens. It really is all about the journey as you said and the more we focus on that and understand that reality, the less concerned we are with things happening on our time table. Slow and steady wins the race Thanks so much for the comment. I really appreciate it.

Reply

Anita July 20, 2010 at 2:03 am

Yeah – a lot of people waste their life striving to get to that ‘perfect’ life they have in their heads. A fulfilled life is about all three time-frames for me. It’s dificult ot get the balance right though, and most people who are trully happy with life have manged to do that.

You learn from the past, but you don’t dwell on it. You strive towards the future, but you don’t get consumed by it. And you live in the now knowing that this is the only moment you can truly be in.

I think it’s important though, as you said Sibyl, to take a moment now and paint your ‘perfect’ life. Construct that picture in your mind, and start living it as if it is already.

Three amazing books come to mind here:

The Power of Now
Joyful Wisdom
Think and Grow Rich

Thanks Sibyl for a great post again ) It’s a good way to start a day…
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Fridays Top 5 Take-away- Effective Ab Exercises for Women =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:34 am: Anita: Thanks for the comment and I am glad you are starting your day here at the alternaview I really loved what you said:

“You learn from the past, but you don’t dwell on it. You strive towards the future, but you don’t get consumed by it. And you live in the now knowing that this is the only moment you can truly be in.”

That is such a powerful message. It really could be a great mantra. Thanks for sharing it with us and thank you for the comment. I really appreciate you always stopping by the alternaview.

Reply

Abubakar Jamil July 20, 2010 at 6:21 am

It is sad as well as frustrating to observe that how many of us actually let ourselves fall into worry and depression over what has happened in our pasts, rather than taking action today for a better result tomorrow.

Thank you for the reminder again Sibyl.
.-= Abubakar Jamil´s last blog ..Never Fall in Love =-.

Sibyl July 20, 2010 at 8:32 am: Abubakar: It is an easy trap to fall into, but I do think we have to be aware of it so we can avoid the pitfall as much as possible. It is all about living in the current moment and taking advantage of the opportunity to live right now in a great way. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by the alternaview.

Reply

PerryP@How to lose weight September 30, 2010 at 3:46 pm

The only thing that can’t be replaced or substituted is time. I have to agree- focus and attention on what is going on at this very moment is the most important thing. By the way: Stop multitasking!
—-
The most important thing we should prioritize and place the majority of our focus and attention on is how we are living and experiencing this moment right now. There is nothing that is more important than the moment that is currently in front of you.

Sibyl October 3, 2010 at 2:30 pm: PerryP: Thanks for stopping by the alternaview and thanks also for the comment. I think that is good advice you offered about multitasking. We think we are being so productive and accomplishing so much, but it really does have more costs than it does have benefits. There is nothing better than being able to be 100% engaged in what you are doing right now and the positive impact that it has on how you experience everything. Thanks again for the comment. I really appreciate it.

Reply

Previous post: Do the Small Things Well and Achieve Big Goals

Next post: How to Move Through Your Day Friction Free