For some of us, the holidays are the most stressful time of year. But for me, it’s the several weeks after the holidays that really stress me out. This is when all the fun and bustle of the holidays is over and it’s back to work on all the projects we left for “later.”

Whenever I’m anxious about the future or worried about the past, I try to remember what a very old but wise horse trainer once told me. Breathe. Stay in the moment, right here, right now. Do you know how hard this is to do?

We live in an age of distractions, yet technology often impinges on our ability to pay attention to the future. I find myself fantasizing at work about being on vacation. On vacation I worry about the work piling up on my desk. I don’t appreciate living in the present because our “monkey mind” (as Buddhists say) jumps from thought to thought like monkeys swinging from tree to tree.

Realizing that I was letting my worries hinder my ability to work to my full potential, I began to do some research on how I could center myself so I could become a better person in all aspects of my life.

Here are few discoveries that help me stay in the present moment:

Recharge: I finally got tired of being sick and tired. Our bodies require energy to manage tough situations, and stress drains you. I had to figure out ways that I could get back in the game. I knew that a simple gym membership would not do the trick, and that I would only find myself yawning and leaning on the machines. I finally found something – spin class! For me, a set time and place with others struggling beside me was the ticket. Knowing that we are all here for the same reason keeps me going and coming back for more.

Renew: Once I started losing sleep, only then did I realize how important it was to get a good night’s rest. Getting back into a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time, even on the weekends, has renewed my energy during the day.

Breathe: Funny, but I forget to do this. Simple as it sounds, it works! Try it. Take a moment right now and slowly breathe in. Now breathe out. Deep breaths help me focus and center me. I do this in the car to and from work. I also try to remember to do this when I’m in a situation that is unfamiliar or strange, as it helps release the fear that comes along with it.

Getting off the grid: One day a week, I try to unplug. I read instead of watching television (with my favorite classical music planning quietly in the background). I do this on what I call my “Sanity Sundays.” It helps me get focused so I can gather my thoughts for the week ahead.

Trading on the grid: Here’s my trade off for my Sanity Sundays. If I get to a point where I can’t get ahead at the office because of all the distractions that come with running a business, I do a trade off. I take off on Friday and go down to the office on Sunday. I get three times as much work done. This totally frees me up so I can be more productive during the week .

Multi-tasking: I’m so tired of doing ten things at once and fighting with myself. Ever notice that person who says that they can juggle twenty things seems to be in a foul mood more often than not? I’d rather do one thing at a time and be present (and happy) than juggle ten things and forget I’m doing it at all. Or do all of them poorly.

Flow: I realize that I can’t control everything. But it’s hard to roll with the punches sometimes. When this happens, I try to breathe and remind myself that other people must have the freedom and trust to do their jobs. As long as the outcome is good, letting go of the micromanaging.

Being in the moment: General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt said, “Do every job like you’re going to have it forever. People start to get derailed when they say [about a task], ‘This one is beneath me.’ Being the best ______ (fill in the blank yourself) you can be, in the moment, is very rewarding.”

When I get anxious, fretting about all the things I need to do, phone calls to return, projects to put back on the front burner, I keep these tips in mind to be right here, right now. Just sayin’. 

Published: Apartment News Magazine – March/April issue 2012