The Art of Being Present

For Busy Business Women whose lives are often split in multiple directions … it is imperative to learn the art of being present.

For two–career-women (home and the work place) it is a struggle to be fully in one place at a time.

When home… we are preoccupied with work to be done at our office.  At the office… we are scanning or texting or checking up on what is going on at home. What are we to do?

In previous posts I use the word “goal” because it’s familiar. But settings goals is not really what you should be doing. Instead, you should be deciding …

What you are going to make happen!

When you set a goal, that’s simply something you’re hoping for. It’s the target and you’re going to shoot for it.

When you decide that you’re going to do something no matter what happens, it’s almost as if you have already done it. You start acting and thinking like the person you want to be.

At this time of year there are a lot of “ought to’s.” What we need now are the “how to’s.”
How do I make myself be present in whatever place I am?

Let’s consider our “entry,” “exit”  and “re-entry”.

• When you arrive at work = Sit in your chair. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Feel the parts of your body against the chair. Press your feet firmly on the floor. Say to yourself, “I am here. This is my time to be here.”  Think about the first job you are to tackle here at work. Now. Do it!
• As you prepare to leave work = Take a moment to sit and survey your work area. Give yourself kudos for your accomplishments. Even the smallest ones. Leave yourself a post-it of the three first things to do when you return to work. Say to yourself, “I am leaving work and returning home to my family.” Do it!
• On the way home transition yourself mentally. Ease yourself from the work world to the home world. You have left work. Do not drag it along behind you. It will wait for you. It will still be there. Now is the time for your home life.
• As you arrive at home;  find each family member and greet them warmly. They may not be accustomed to this so be patient if they are otherwise occupied. Make eye contact whenever possible and connect with some sort of touch.
• Do whatever is necessary to unplug. Close the door to your home office. Leave your cellphone on off.
• Kim says she passes a certain sign board on her route home and she dumps it.   “That’s it for tonight.  I’ll leave it all there.  See you in the morning.”   It works for her.   How about you?

Now here or Nowhere? Your choice.

I’d be interested in what are the ways you separate out your home life from your work life? Do you have tricks that help you focus on where you are? Let’s share what we have found to make that home/work transition be successful.

Dive into more of Carolyn’s helpful and encouraging wisdom, The One Thing Busy Women Desperately Need and Can’t Make Happen

Carolyn Dunn coaches busy women who are time starved, disorganized and distracted balance a productive work life with a peaceful and nurturing home life. Instead of struggling with overwhelm, procrastination and time management issues they can learn to say “goodbye” to chaos, and “hello” to sanity. Carolyn has a strong Christian background and a Fuller Seminary Masters degree in theological studies as well as marriage and family ministries. She is actively involved in planning large conferences as well as small retreats, and has been the speaker at many seminars and workshops.

To learn more about the author please visit Carolyn Dunn Coaching