When Every Moment Truly Counts
In a small, sunlit office, Mark faced a familiar nemesis – the clock. Time, with its relentless pace, seemed to slip through her fingers like grains of sand. Despite his success, he felt as if he was missing something crucial. It was during a serene morning, watching the sunrise, that Mark had an epiphany. Time wasn't just about ticking clocks and deadlines; it was about each seemingly mondane moment that give life and work their true meaning. This realization changed not only how Mark ran his business but also how he lived his life.
For entrepreneurs, time is often equated with productivity and progress. However, making every moment count goes beyond mere efficiency. It is about finding the joy and uniqueness of each moment. Seeing each moment as a learning experience. In one study the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who engage in meaningful activities, including work, report higher levels of well-being.
Finding the balance between pure authentic creativity and fulfilling the needs a client can be a challenging equation to balance. It becomes a matter of perspective. When everything works in pure symmetry, magic occurs.
For us, this was on a recent project for Nikon Canada. We were contracted to show off a new camera they had coming out. Not only was it an opportunity to explore our creativity through the project, but it was also an opportunity to contemplate bigger questions in life. We left the project with our perspectives completely shifted - realizing that our quest in life should be to rediscover the world through a fresh set of eyes.
We realized through this experience that perspective is critical and being fully present in each moment is what matters. To find the joy in each moment, even the tough ones.
It is not always easy to shift this perspective but it is critical. A study by Oxford University found that workers are 13% more productive when they are happy. Not a surprise but this research demonstrated a clear link between happiness and productivity in the workplace. By shifting your perspective, any situation can be an opportunity for growth.
To better illustrate this, a further study by The Alternative Board, 19% of entrepreneurs work over 60 hours per week, yet longer hours don't always correlate with higher productivity or satisfaction. This last stat was interesting because we had always had the idea that the more work you put in consistently, the more progress you make. We like to keep ourselves busy but ‘busy work’ isn’t always the best work. We realized that it's about quality, not just quantity.
To slow down and focus on truly seizing every moment and being present in each moment versus having our head in the sand ‘doing the work’.
To leverage our gained knowledge of our core values and ensuring we are able to find ways to honour them.
Strategies to Embrace Every Moment
Making every moment count is about living intentionally, being present, and finding value in each experience. Here are several strategies to help achieve this.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being fully present and engaged with the current moment. This can be cultivated through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply by paying close attention to your surroundings and sensations.
Set Clear Goals and Priorities: Understand what is most important to you in life. Setting clear goals helps direct your focus and energy towards what truly matters, making each moment more meaningful.
Embrace Gratitude: Regularly acknowledging what you are thankful for can shift your perspective to appreciate each moment. Consider keeping a gratitude journal to record and reflect on positive experiences.
Limit Distractions: In an age of constant connectivity, it's easy to get distracted. Be mindful of how you use technology and set boundaries to ensure it doesn't detract from your ability to be present.
Engage Fully in Activities: Whatever you are doing, give it your full attention. Whether it's a task at work, a conversation, or a personal hobby, engaging fully can make the experience more fulfilling.
Learn to Say No: Overcommitting can lead to rushing through life without truly experiencing it. Learn to say no to things that don't align with your goals or values.
Seek New Experiences: Trying new things can make life more exciting and memorable. Whether it’s learning a new skill, traveling, or simply changing your routine, new experiences can add value to your moments.
Reflect Regularly: Take time to reflect on your experiences. This can be through journaling, meditation, or thoughtful conversation. Reflection helps you appreciate past moments and learn from them.
Connect with Others: Deep, meaningful relationships can make moments more significant. Invest time in building and maintaining these connections.
Live According to Your Values: Align your actions with your personal values. Living authentically ensures that your time is spent on things that are truly important to you.
Embrace Impermanence: Understanding that life is fleeting can be a powerful motivator to make the most of each moment. This perspective can encourage you to live more fully and with less regret.
Self-Care: Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial. You can enjoy and make the most of each moment when you feel your best.
Balance Planning with Spontaneity: While planning is important, so is spontaneity. Sometimes the most memorable moments are unplanned, so be open to impromptu experiences.
Find Joy in Small Things: Not every moment will be groundbreaking, but there is joy to be found in the simplest of experiences. Acknowledging and appreciating small pleasures can enrich your daily life.
By implementing these strategies, you can begin to make the most of each moment, leading to a more fulfilling and intentional life. Remember, making every moment count doesn't mean every moment needs to be action-packed or extraordinary; sometimes, the quiet, ordinary moments are the most precious.