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:

(Click here to watch on YouTube)

Do you want to learn how you can create an empowering morning ritual? CLICK HERE to join my Morning Ritual Mastery program!

This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only ever endorse products that I have personally used and benefitted from personally. Thank you for your support!

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.

Do you want to learn how you can create an empowering morning ritual? CLICK HERE to join my Morning Ritual Mastery program!

I would like to share with you 3 ways to start your day with self-love. Did you know that how you choose to spend the first hour of your day sets the tone for how the rest of your day unfolds?

It's easy to ignore your needs and jump into your massive to-do list, but if you don't take care of yourself first, you won't have the strength and motivation that you need in order to master your day.

A report, which examined 79 studies on the link between self-compassion and wellbeing found that people who are kinder to themselves also tend to be happier, proving that happiness is an inside job.

Having a positive and loving morning routine is a great way to nourish your mind, body, and soul. In the words of Louise Hay, “How you start your day is often how you live your life.” Are you ready to learn 3 ways to start your day with self-love?

Do you want to learn how you can create an empowering morning ritual? CLICK HERE to purchase my Morning Ritual Mastery course!

This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only ever endorse products that I have personally used and benefitted from personally. Thank you for your support!

We have been conditioned by society to place more of an emphasis on other-love, instead of self-love. Unfortunately, this leads to a biased view of the self that has many people questioning their self-worth. It all comes down to treating yourself as if you would a good friend – with love, kindness, compassion, and respect.

The morning is your opportunity to spend quality time with yourself. Get to know who you are and what matters to you. When you do, you will have a more positive and healthy outlook on life, which in turn, will inspire others to do the same.

Here are 3 ways to start your day with self-love.

1. Start A Gratitude Journal 

Gratitude and self-love are one and the same. Taking a few minutes every morning to be grateful for who you are and what you have accomplished strengthens your self-esteem, allowing you to have more appreciation for yourself and your life.

 A great way for cultivating more gratitude in your life is to keep a gratitude journal. Write down 5 things that you are grateful for every day. 

Research shows that expressing gratitude improves mental, physical, and relational well-being. Train your brain to focus on the good, and start to notice how this simple mindfulness exercise transforms your life.

2. Recite Positive Affirmations

Affirmations are a great way to start your day off on a positive note. They give you the tools that you need in order to handle your day, with confidence and ease.

When you affirm to yourself how amazing and capable you are, you rewire your brain to focus on what is possible, thereby priming yourself for happiness and success. 

Studies show that affirmations can help improve problem-solving under stress, boost well-being, increase self-compassion, and support pro-social behaviors. What you say about yourself has a tremendous impact on the person that you become. Choose your words wisely.

3. Do A Self-Love Meditation

Life can be so overwhelming sometimes. Meditation can be a great way to calm our busy minds and take a deep breath. A study showed that engaging in a loving-kindness meditation, which is a technique used to increase feelings of warmth and caring for self and others, increases daily experiences of positive emotions over time.

Take a few minutes every day to engage in a mindfulness practice that allows you to be present and connect with yourself. From this place, self-love flows freely.

These are 3 ways to start your day with self-love. Commit to integrating these self-love elements into your morning routine, and watch your life transform for the better. In the words of Robert Morley, “To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness.” Self-love is not selfish. Rather, it is a priority, and you deserve it.

Do you want to learn how you can create an empowering morning ritual? CLICK HERE to purchase my Morning Ritual Mastery course!

Are you a slave to your emotions? When something doesn't go your way, how do you react? Do you calmly step back and assess the situation, or do you start ruminating and let your emotions get the best of you?

When you allow your emotions to dictate every decision that you make, it can have a negative effect on every area of your life.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to be an emotional person. Rather, it is how you regulate your emotions and navigate your way through challenges, that determines your success in life.

Are you a slave to your emotions? If so, I want to show you how to shift that mindset, so that you feel in control of your life. In the words of Oscar Wilde, “I don’t want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.”

Do you want to learn how to master every area of your life? CLICK HERE to join my Life Mastery Accelerator program!

In her new book, How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett suggests that emotions do not happen to us without our willingness.

Rather, we construct our emotions by making meaning of our life experiences. We choose how you feel. That is something that we have 100% control over, whether you believe it or not. It all starts with your mindset.

Our thoughts create our emotions. Oftentimes, neither our thoughts nor our emotions are an accurate representation of what is really going on. Why? Because we all interpret the world through a different emotional lens.

If you are a slave to your emotions, commit to taking the steps needed in order to ensure that your emotions do not get the best of you. Easier said than done, right? Here are 3 ways to help you not be a slave to your emotions.

1. Take A Deep Breath

When our emotions are running high, short and shallow breathing can take over. If this happens, the best way to master your emotional state is to take a step back and take a deep breath.

I know this sounds simple, but it works.

Research proves that slowing your breath calms the mind. Patricia Gerbarg, a clinical professor in psychiatry at New York Medical School and author of a 2009 study on Pranayama, suggests that “By changing patterns of breathing, we can change our emotional states, and how we think and how we interact with the world.”

By learning how to harness the power of your breath, you are better able to balance your emotions. Are you a slave to your emotions? If so, positive habits like these are great ways to change your emotional state.

2. Take Responsibility

You are the only one that is responsible for your emotional well-being. Take responsibility for your life. You cannot control what other people think, do, or say.

The only thing that you have control over is how you respond to the external world. If you don't like how you feel, own it. When you take ownership for your life, you create the momentum that is required in order to change it.

Research shows that taking personal responsibility for your happiness involves, ultimately, adopting a “surrender mindset”, which refers to the willingness to fully accept the outcomes that you are dealt with in life.

Unlike others, who may ruminate when things don't work out the way they planned, the person with a surrender mindset is able to move on emotionally untouched.

Don't play the blame game. Step up and become the become the master of your mind.

3. Take Note Of Your Thoughts & Beliefs

Our beliefs determine what we end up attracting into our lives. If you dwell on the negative, that is what you will attract. Keep in mind that it isn't our thoughts that become things. Rather, it is our emotions that are triggered by unconscious beliefs.

The next time that you are feeling reactive and emotional, take a step back, be an observer of your own mind, and notice what it is that you are thinking about.

The belief systems that we have about ourselves and the world were created by US. If we can create them, then we can just as easily shift them, in ways that better serve our lives.

Will you be able to shift your belief system overnight? No. It takes time to re-write our stories, but when you do, emotional mastery is yours for the taking.

In the words of the late John Milton, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” Choose wisely. When you master your emotions, you master your life. 

Do you want to learn how to master every area of your life? CLICK HERE to join my Life Mastery Accelerator program!

If you think you are going nowhere in life, take a deep breath and watch this.

It is important that you accept that the past is ancient history. It’s okay to remember your past, but don’t live in it. It does not dictate or determine your future in any way, unless you allow it to.

It’s time to stop worrying and start living, today. In the words of Lisa Unger, “The past is history, the future is a mystery, but the present is a gift.”  

In this very moment, you have an opportunity to make new decisions, choices, and actions in order to create the life that you desire. Who do you want to be TODAY, and what do you want to create for your future? You are the master of your destiny.

Watch the video below:

(Click here to watch on YouTube)

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Do you want to learn how to upgrade your life so that you achieve success faster? CLICK HERE to join my Life Mastery Accelerator program!

The best way to answer this question is to create a compelling vision for your life. This is one of the most effective strategies for achieving your dreams.

Most people have a million excuses for why they can’t dream. Tap into the small child inside of you who believes that they can be and do anything in this world. What would that look like for you?

Creating a vision for your life begins by identifying your core values and your purpose. Unfortunately, for many people, a vision doesn’t seem real for them, which is why you need to break it down into smaller goals.

You need to have a yearly goal in every aspect of your life – health, emotions, finances, spirituality, career, relationships, etc. For example, if you want to make $100,000 in one year, then how much money do you need to make in the next 6 months, 3 months, or 1 month?

A vision is a powerful catalyst for doing so, because it gives you something to work towards. Don’t let your vision scare you. Everything of value in life always has a starting point. Just start!

When I was 17 years old I didn’t think that my life was going anywhere – I was shy, depressed, lonely, and I was addicted to video games.

I let my life pass me by because I wasn’t focused on creating the future that I desired. This was a big mistake. As soon as you start thinking for your future, and not just doing what is convenient and comfortable, your life changes.

If you want to invest in your future, you need to start learning and growing. When you do so, it opens up your mind to new possibilities and opportunities. Jim Rohn said it best, “If you want to have more, you need to become more.”

In my early 20’s, I made the decision to change my life for the better. I didn’t have much money at the time, but I was committed to personal growth.

I remember that I went to a thrift shop in Vancouver, B.C. and bought $2 self-development books and started reading as much as I could.

Reading these books made me realize what my mission and purpose in life was. From that moment on, I was hooked.

If you think you are going nowhere in life, drop that story. The beauty of life is that, at any given moment, you have the power to make a change.

Find resources, seminars, or books that target your biggest obstacle in life, and learn the strategies and habits from the people that have overcome whatever it is that is holding you back. Once you overcome your fears, you will upgrade your life.

Lastly, every month I challenge you to write down and document all of the amazing goals that you have accomplished in your life, big and small. Every month I like to capture my monthly goals, the conversations I had, the books that I read, the content I have consumed, the ways that I grew and improved myself, and the actions that I took in my business. If you do so, it will inspire and motivate you to achieve more.

If you think you are going nowhere in life, take a deep breath and watch this. Write down your vision and your goals, and then take action!

Nothing is going to change if you just consume content. You need to apply what you are learning. There is no better time than now to take a risk, push your comfort zone, and become the person that you desire to be. Are you ready?

Do you want to learn how to upgrade your life so that you achieve success faster? CLICK HERE to join my Life Mastery Accelerator program!