The here and now is the only place that truly matters. Everything else is secondary.

Unfortunately, we live in an age of constant distraction, where our attention is pulled in a million different directions.

I believe that ruminating about the past and thinking too much about the future is the major cause of people's unhappiness.

If you want to live an abundant life, make it a priority to be in the here and now. Are you ready to learn 4 simple ways to live in the present moment?

Watch the video below where I talk about the importance of living an authentic life:

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The here and now is all you have.

While you are reading this, I want to encourage you to be here, fully. Try not to divert your attention anywhere else. More importantly, I don't want you to think about this moment. Rather, take a deep breath and really feel what it feels like to experience this moment. This is where a lot of people get stuck.

Despite the recent popularity of the mindfulness movement, studies indicate that most people are only paying attention to the present moment fifty percent of the time.

As a society, we have been conditioned to overlook the present moment because it isn't deemed to not be “exciting enough.” As a result, our minds are forever trying to distract us. Social media adds to this issue. In a world that is dominated by technology, emailing, texting, and trolling on social media have become a normal part of people's every day lives.

If you aren't connected to a screen 24/7, you are considered to be the “odd man out,” so to speak.

Unfortunately, this way of life has created a disconnect between people and their present-moment experience. As a result, people tend to operate from either the past or the future. I believe that this is the #1 reason why so many people struggle with fear and anxiety. Think about it. If you live in the past, you constantly feel stuck because you aren't moving forward.

Similarly, if you live in the future, you are anxious about what is yet to come. This wishful thinking can create a fear complex that leaves you feeling paralyzed. Both ways of being wreak havoc on the mind. In our desire to get to the end point, we fail to recognize that the future is really nothing more than thought. It doesn't exist because it hasn't happened yet. In the grand scheme of things, the destination is secondary to whom you become along the way.

In his book, The Power Of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, Eckhart Tolle says it best – “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” 

The present moment is a place of control, ease, and happiness.

Your ability to be happy in the here and now is influenced by your present thoughts. This is why intentional feel-good thoughts are so important to your overall well-being. The next time that you engage in an activity, don't let your mind wander. Rather, be present with your experience and see how it changes your emotional state.

Here are 4 simple ways that you can live in the present moment.

1. Enjoy The Small Things

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get distracted by to-do lists, projects, and deadlines, so much so that you may forget to enjoy the simple things in life. Do you give gratitude for the air that you breathe or your ability to walk?

These are wildly important things to your survival, yet so many people ignore their value on a daily basis. The world is forever changing, which is why it's so important to appreciate the here and now. You cannot get moments back so I encourage you to be grateful for each one of them.

When life gets overwhelming, it's natural to reach for negative emotions because you don't feel good. In my experience, this only makes things worse. The next time that you find yourself in a difficult situation, find the silver lining and remind yourself how good your life really is… because it is. You know that, right?

In the words of Beau Taplin, “I'm starting to recognize that real happiness isn't something large and looming on the horizon ahead, but something small, numerous and already there. The smile of someone you love. A decent breakfast. The warm sunset. Your little everyday joys all lined up in a row.”

2. Unplug

Sometimes the best way to reconnect with yourself is to do a digital detox. Technology has completely taken over people's lives. Although it's intention is to connect us, it has made us more disconnected from one another than ever before.

All you need to do is go to a restaurant and see how many people are glued to their phones, instead of talking to the person that is in front of them.

Furthermore, a lot of people use the digital world as a means of escaping from their problems, so much so that this becomes an addiction in and of itself. There’s a strong connection between screen time and the decay of one’s own mental health. If you have a hard time concentrating on something for more than 30 seconds, it's time to unplug.

I'm not suggesting that you live on a desert island without any access to the outside world. However, if you find yourself browsing all day on social media, there is a chance that you aren't maximizing your time, nor are you tuning into what is important to you.

3. Let Go Of Your Past 

There's no point ruminating about the past because you don't live there anymore. You are in the here and now. The past is over and done with. Leveling up your life requires that you free yourself from the emotional blocks that prevent you from moving forward.

Something that no longer exists cannot affect you anymore. Your thoughts will feed you stories about why the past is still a part of your identity. These are just stories and can easily be rewritten. Never forget that, what you focus on, expands. If you continue to dwell upon the pain and challenges that you've experienced, you will only create more of the same experiences.

Don't be a victim of life. Break free and take back your power. A key aspect of letting go is forgiveness, for yourself and/or others. Honor the past for what it was, but be okay saying goodbye. What are you ready to let go of? By releasing the heaviness of the past, it will allow you to be more present in your mind, body, and soul.

4. Focus On Your Breath

When people are experiencing stress, it's commonplace for them to engage in shallow breathing. Unfortunately, doing so only results in anxiety and a feeling of lack of control. Your breath is the simplest and most powerful way to stay in the here and now.

By actually focusing on your breath and tuning into how it feels to breathe, your mind will slow down and racing thoughts will start to lose their power. At this moment, all that comes to matter is you and your breath. I encourage you to take a deep breath now and see how it feels. It's a great reminder that everything is going to be okay.

Your life consists of a series of present moments.

These moments are forever unfolding before your eyes, so make an effort to pay attention to them. Instead of focusing on the next moment, what can you do right now that will allow you to be more present?

In the words of Steve Goodier, “Wherever you are, be there. If you can be fully present now, you’ll know what it means to live.” This is your point of power. Now is the time to own it.

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I would like to share with you 4 ways to build your mental toughness. In today's fast paced and complex world, the ability to effectively adapt, remain calm under pressure, and change at a moment's notice is a necessity.

Your mental toughness, or “grit” as they call it, plays a very important role in achieving your goals in health, business, and life. Nobody in the business world needs mental toughness more than an entrepreneur.

Being your own boss and designing the life that you desire is great, but unfortunately not a lot of entrepreneurs possess the skills that are needed in order to weather the storms of the online business world.

The good news is that mental toughness is a skill that you can learn. Steve Siebold, mental toughness expert and author of 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class: The Thought Processes, Habits and Philosophies of the Great Ones, 3rd Edition, teaches that a person of modest means can become world class by implementing the thinking, habits, and philosophies associated with mental toughness.

Are you ready to learn 4 ways to build your mental toughness so that you can master your online business?

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You can have amazing organizational skills, be highly productive, and be passionate about your online business. But without mental toughness, you won't be able to stay on course when things get challenging.

Below are 4 ways to build your mental toughness in order to ensure that you stay one step ahead of the game:

1. Embrace Change

Mentally tough people are constantly adapting to changing circumstances. They strive to get outside of their comfort zone on a daily basis because they welcome challenges and see them as opportunities for growth.

Making it a daily habit to engage in activities that force you to step outside of your comfort zone, take risks, and embrace the unknown is a great way to expand your capacity for mental toughness.

If you want to become the best version of yourself in your business and in your life, you need to take risks and do things that make you feel uncomfortable.

2. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about staying present in the moment. Entrepreneurs often find themselves stretched in multiple different directions, which can effect their concentration.

This is why focusing on the here-and-now is such an important skill for online business owners to learn.

A University of Miami study showed that one of the best ways to build mental toughness is through practicing mindfulness on a consistent basis.

One of the greatest benefits of creating a mindfulness-based practice, like meditation, into your daily life is that it allows you to effectively manage the myriad of stressors that can come with running an online business.

3. Be Active

There is no doubt that a healthy body contributes to a healthy mind. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the higher one’s mental agility and stability, the more likely they are to achieve and maintain a healthy body.

If you run an online business, it is imperative that you commit to staying active. Hours in front of a computer can be taxing on your physical and mental state.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. James Levine, in the U.S. people spend more than half of their waking hours sitting down, which can result in a myriad of health problems.

I highly recommend investing in a LifeSpan treadmill desk. It has radically elevated my productivity, enhanced my business, and transformed my health. Getting your heart pumping in the morning is a great way to stimulate your brain for optimal performance and prime you for success.

4. Master Your Emotions

In order to become mentally tough, you need to master your emotions. Running an online business requires that you are able to make strategic decisions under pressure, which is why it is important that you are able to stay calm and objective, regardless of your emotional state.

It is impossible to be mentally tough if you are unable to fully understand and manage your emotions. This is where the power of emotional intelligence (EQ) comes into play. Research shows that 90% of top performers have high EQs.

Unlike IQ, the good news is that EQ is a skill that you can build and master over time. Research shows that 90% of top performers have high EQs. Robert Kiyosaki said it best, “The strength of character and emotional intelligence to face your failures and learn from them are at the core of success.”