[015] lose yourself in the now

it’s simple. yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn’t promised .

To the person:

I remember times when worry would consume my thoughts. I'm sure we've all felt that way at some point. In these moments of worry, you must have faith in your thoughts, words, and actions—the work you've been doing to put yourself in a position to succeed. Learning to ground yourself in the present doesn’t mean ignoring the future or denying the past; it means accepting what happened and embracing what is to come. Being joyful about what you currently have is the gateway to manifesting more. We often try to look around the corner to see what's next, believing we can't be impactful until we reach our next destination. However, the place where we are most impactful is right now.

Being in the present brings a certain level of stillness. There is no worry about the past or anxiety about the future. The more time you can spend in the present, the better and more vivid life will seem. Embracing the present moment allows you to fully engage with your surroundings, appreciate the journey, and make the most of every opportunity. This shift in focus can enhance your overall well-being, improve your performance in various aspects of life, and lead to a more fulfilling and balanced existence. By cultivating a present-focused mindset, you can navigate life's challenges with greater ease and clarity, ultimately achieving a deeper sense of peace and satisfaction.

To the player:

One common reason athletes experience performance lows is their inability to stay grounded in the present moment. Inevitably, things will happen during games, practices, and workouts. Mastering the art of having a short-term memory is what separates the average from the great. Great players can emotionally disconnect from negative events quickly. They don’t view results emotionally but can suspend emotion and focus on the task at hand. This is easier when you find peace in the present moment or, as it’s known in sports, finding flow. Flow is simply allowing yourself to shut off your brain and act on instinct. At its simplest, sports test your instincts, body, and mind. If you want to take your game to the next level, the quickest way is often a mindset shift, not a physical one.