Have you ever felt that your own thoughts are the biggest obstacle you face? They can be exhausting, those mental loops of worry, doubt and overthinking that drain your energy and prevent you from taking action.

Like when you have to make a difficult phone call. Maybe it’s a conversation you’ve been dreading, like confronting a client about a missed deadline or asking your boss for a raise. How many times have you rehearsed the scenario in your head, anticipating every possible outcome, agonising over what to say and feeling your anxiety rise with each mental rehearsal?

This is where our thoughts can become our worst enemy. We get so caught up in the imagined outcomes, the what ifs and the potential problems that we create a reality in our minds that is often far worse than the actual situation. We become trapped in a cycle of overthinking, procrastination and avoidance, all fuelled by the stories we tell ourselves.

But what if there was a way to break out of this mental trap? What if, instead of getting lost in the chatter of our thoughts, we could tap into a deeper sense of presence, a state of being fully grounded in the moment, free from the distractions of the mind?

The power of presence versus thoughts

Presence isn’t just about being physically present; it’s also about being mentally and emotionally present. It’s about quieting the noise of your thoughts, letting go of worries and anxieties, and focusing your attention on the here and now.

When you’re fully present, you’re not caught up in the past or the future. You’re not lost in the ‘what ifs’ or the ‘should haves’. You’re just here, in the moment, with an open mind and a clear focus.

And in that state of presence something magical happens. You’re able to access your intuition, your creativity and your inner wisdom. You can see the situation more clearly, make decisions more effectively and act with greater confidence.

If you find it hard to stop thinking, try this: What’s your next thought?

Back to the phone call

Imagine approaching that difficult phone call from a place of presence. Instead of getting lost in your thoughts, you take a deep breath, ground yourself in the moment and dial the number. You enter the conversation with focused attention, listening deeply, speaking clearly and responding authentically.

And guess what? The outcome is likely to be much more positive than you imagined. Often our fears are much worse than reality. The other person may be more understanding than you expected, or the situation may have a simpler solution than you thought.

Beyond the phone call

Now replace that phone call with something else you’ve been putting off. The project you’ve been putting off, the conversation you’ve been avoiding, the decision you’ve been agonising over – what if you approached it from a place of presence?

What if, instead of getting lost in your thoughts, you took a deep breath, grounded yourself in the moment and took action?

The possibilities are endless.

Cultivating presence

Cultivating presence may sound easier than it is if you try it the first time. But once you experience it, you can always get back to this experience.

It’s that space you feel when you don’t do anything. When you manage to not get caught up in your thoughts, but also not busy doing anything. Rare moments really.

You could start by just taking 5 minutes at a time, during which you don’t do anything at all. You don’t even drink a coffee or have your phone in your hands. Just be, observe thoughts and emotions and let them go.

You may be surprised at what you can achieve.

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