“I just don’t have the time for that.” It’s quite the familiar phrase in corporate leadership. But it’s also an illusion of no time. Still, the idea of adding yet another “practice”, even one called “presence“, can feel like an impossible demand on already stretched resources.

I see this often in my work as a coach. My clients say that they won’t find the time for any coaching sessions, or we have to postpone. 

But presence isn’t something you need to do, but rather something you inherently are? And that recognition could also change your relation with being short in time.^^

What if the key to navigating the feeling of “no time” lies not in adding more activities, but in recognising the underlying awareness. Awareness that is always available, even amidst the chaos?

From a non-dual perspective, presence isn’t a technique to be learned or a state to be achieved. It’s the fundamental awareness that is the very fabric of your experience. 

It’s the silent backdrop against which all thoughts, feelings, and sensations arise and pass. The feeling of being overwhelmed and time-poor often stems from being lost in the content of your minds. It’s the endless stream of thoughts, worries, and to-do lists and forgetting this spacious awareness that holds it all.

The common approach to time management often focuses on doing more, optimising schedules. And squeezing every last drop out of each minute. But this can be like trying to calm a stormy sea by frantically bailing water. Rather than recognising the stillness at its depths. 

True efficiency and impactful leadership arise not from frantic activity, but from a grounded awareness that allows for clarity, intention, and effortless action.

When you lead from awareness:

• Focus arises naturally: Instead of forcing concentration, your attention settles effortlessly on what is truly important in the present moment.
• Decisions are informed by wisdom: You tap into a deeper intelligence that transcends the limitations of your busy, analytical minds.
• Communication flows authentically: Your words and actions are rooted in a genuine connection to yourselves and others, without the need for manipulation or strategic maneuvering.
• Stress dissolves in spaciousness: Recognizing the background of awareness allows the intensity of stressful thoughts and emotions to lose their grip.

Therefore, cultivating “presence” isn’t about adding more to your day, but about subtly shifting your attention to the awareness that is always here. It’s about recognizing the space within the busyness.

What you can do to experience more awareness

Here are some ways to gently orient towards this awareness amidst a packed schedule:

• The Glimpse Between Thoughts: Notice the brief pauses between your thoughts. In that stillness, there is awareness. You don’t need to do anything to create it; simply recognize it.
• The Awareness of Sensation: Instead of getting lost in the story of a physical sensation, simply feel the sensation itself – the pressure of your body on the chair, the coolness of the air on your skin. Awareness is what registers these sensations.
• Open Attention: For a few moments, let your attention rest without focusing on anything in particular. Allow sounds, thoughts, and feelings to arise and pass without engaging with them. Notice the awareness that is aware of it all.
• The “I Am” Awareness: Gently bring your attention to the simple feeling of “I am.” This fundamental sense of being is a direct pointer to the underlying awareness.
• Awareness in Interaction: As you interact with others, notice not just their words but also the space of awareness in which their words arise and are heard. Recognize the shared field of awareness.

The illusion of “no time” often stems from a mind that is identified with its busy content. By gently shifting your attention to the spacious awareness that underlies all activity, you can discover a deeper sense of calm, clarity, and effortless efficiency. 

Leading from this awareness isn’t about doing more; it’s about being more fully present to the inherent intelligence and stillness that is always available. This allows for a more impactful and sustainable way of leading.

In the midst of your busy day, can you simply notice the awareness that is aware of this very moment? The illusion of no time will change over time…

PS: Don’t overthink this. It’s experiencing rather than rational thinking.

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