Einstein Life Hacks #4 of 10 – FOCUS on the Present
As a business person, I can just imagine your reaction to this picture. It is reckless you say to even entertain such a distraction while driving. While it may begin innocently, we all know how easily this could get out of hand.
As a woman, I can definitely tell that the following quote was written by a man. OK, Einstein, but still a man.
While Einstein was being tongue in cheek here, he was definitely demonstrating that you can’t do two equally important things at the same time. And by prioritizing the kiss he is demonstrating that he understands the importance of relationship.
However, by using driving as one of the tasks, he clearly implied that it can be downright dangerous.
I loved Spencer Johnson’s allegorical novel, The Present. Allegorical novels bring important truths to you in a fictional narrative. I love the genre.
You might think upon looking at the graphic on the front, that it is referring to a physical gift. But the gift that is described is even more valuable than receiving a present from a friend or loved one. It is the gift of living in the present and focusing your attention 100% on those that you are with at the time.
By the way, this includes not reading email when you are on a conference call or “secretly” checking your child’s Snapchat under the table at a meeting. You aren’t fooling anyone. They know when you aren’t fully present, even if they aren’t staring at the top of your head.
I am a firm believer in the value of focus and living in the present.
You might argue that these are one and the same, but I would argue that without being in the present, you cannot effectively focus on anything.
If you dwell on the past, it is like trying to drive through your rear view mirror. And you run the risk of missing the beautiful things in front of you, like a sunset or a cue as to when you should zig instead of zag.
And if you get too far ahead of yourself, you will miss what is right in front of you.
If you find that you are living distracted, you owe it to yourself to refocus on the present. Trust me, it will pay off.
Buy the book. Read it. Nuf said.
Tomorrow we will talk about Imagination.
Stay tuned.