Sitting recently in a weeklong training class at work made me acutely aware of the powerful tendency for the mind to stray from where the body is physically located when we’re not fully engaged with present matters at hand. While I’m no stranger to the natural phenomena of the “monkey mind” from my yoga and meditation practice, my conscious awareness of it was heightened by the demand for my attention from others.
Throughout the week, my colleagues and I each took turns to present updates on our projects and solicit feedback. As I listened with intent, I felt my mind wandering in a hundred directions, try as I might to stay focused.
The urge to multitask drifted to my hands. Would the presenter notice if I subtly slipped my iPhone out of my bag to quickly check email? Would the next person notice if I tapped a few words on my laptop? Of course they would! We were a small group of twelve, seated in a U-shape with all clearly visible to one another.
The urge was so strong I almost had to sit on my hands, but when I thought about the undivided attention and helpful comments that had generously been afforded to me as first batter up the day before, my will prevailed to give each speaker the same respectful courtesy I’d received.
Battling with ourselves for our own attention is one thing. To distract ourselves from someone to whom we’ve committed our attention is another thing, a selfish, inconsiderate thing.
This awareness made me think about the overwhelming frequency that we’re with others but not really present because our attention is someplace else. The advent of technology and our multiple personal devices only exacerbate the issue. I’ll be the first to admit that I reach for my phone so often it’s like a subconscious reflex.
Why do we feel so compelled to do multiple things at once? While we’d like to believe it’s means for greater efficiency to multitask, a solid case could be made that we’re trading quality for quantity.
When we’re singularly focused, the risk of error or oversight is significantly lessened. Personal satisfaction is elevated from knowing we’ve done our very best in fully applying ourselves. Most essential is the message we send that whatever we’re doing or whomever we’re with is most important to us in that moment, whether it’s another or ourselves.
Time is the most precious commodity we have in our finite lease on life. Let’s maximize the return on how we invest our time by being fully present in body and mind. Be here and only here, now, in every moment.
Whether we’re engaged in a solo activity or in the company of others, our experience will be all the fuller for our complete presence.
