By Gino Diguilio
Recently in one of my classes, I found myself engaged in a conversation about how your mind sees the world. The idea of future-mindedness and past-mindedness was brought to the table. I am never really one to be extremely outspoken in class, unless I feel very comfortable in the setting, and this was not one of those settings.
Sitting back, listening and attempting to comprehend the conversation, it was pretty clear to me that everyone in the class was able to identify themselves with one or the other. Me, on the other hand, was struggling to be able to identify. I don’t like focusing solely on the future because I have a fear of failure. Not achieving the goals that are always on my mind in a short amount of time terrifies me to no end. On the flip side, I hate always looking to the past in search of the ‘good ole days’ that honestly don’t even exist for me like others.
Pondering the idea for a day or so and doing some research, I think I was able to come to a conclusion. I am neither a future-mindedness nor past- mindedness type of person. I identify as a present-mindedness type of person, as I am sure more people do as well. If given the choice, I can almost guarantee that some people in my class would have jumped ship pretty quickly and joined me.
Present-mindedness is great, and I would recommend it to anyone that has high anxiety or stress. In the age of tantalizing technology and boundless possibility, the need for present-mindedness people is extremely high in demand. We are all trying to reach the potential that we have put upon ourselves, and regardless of how you do this, you will become stressed and filled with worry. With these three tips, you will be able to set goals but not become interlaced within them.
First, pick goals that are worthy of your time. If a goal is going to make you miserable, and you are dreading the process by which you achieve it, switching that goal out for another is completely acceptable. The goal or goals that you are achieving should connect you to the present day and should enhance your day-to-day life rather than crush your hopes and dreams.
Next, be realistic about your life. Are you living your life in the past and constantly comparing today to yesterday? If so, you need a reality check. Live your life to better yourself and not compare what you are doing now to something better in the past, or even something that might be better in the future. You can’t control the future, and you can’t change the past. All you can do is enhance the present day.
Lastly, know your place in the universe. What are you here to do? Is the way you’re living your life worthwhile and are you making a difference? Check your perspective and reestablish the process of what you were put on this Earth to do and how you will do it.
It doesn’t seem like a lot, but not only will this help present-mindedness be established in your life, but overall you will be happier and have a calmer life.