Do you keep carrying your past into your future?
So often what happens in sports can be related to life. This was true for me this week while playing tennis.
Here’s what I noticed. When I would lose a point, my brain would immediately start trying to solve what I did wrong. Positioning? Form? This is an important stage in learning… until I realized that I was still thinking about the last point when I went into the next point. Since I wasn’t mentally present in that next point, I had more of an opportunity to lose that one, too. Then, a losing streak begins.
It wasn’t until I developed this mantra, that I was able to solve this.
The only point that counts now is the present one.
Yes, it is important to learn from past experiences. And, then mentally moving on to focus on the next moment is what brings success and satisfaction. This opens the opportunity for new experiences - and more learning and growth, whatever that may be. So now, I relate this to my work and my life.
The only moment that counts now is the present one.
I read somewhere that your current moment is a moment of power. This very moment, even as you are reading this, is an opportunity to make a choice or decision about how to move forward. How will you use it?
Here are some things I use to help me when staying in the past may not be serving me:
Recognize my past. It is so important to recognize past experiences and how they make you feel. Our past experiences shape us into who we are. Asking the questions:
Is there something I can learn from this that I can control?
Is there something I need to accept?
Frankly, sometimes the answer is that the other player is just better than me and there’s nothing that I can do right now but play my best.
What is my deadline? I allow myself a certain amount of time to look at the past. In tennis, you only have until the next serve. In life, it may not be that simple. Maybe there is grieving or more transition time needed. Determining how much time is enough for you and then focusing on the present moment, the moment of power, can help.
How much time do I want to give this?
What is my purpose now?
Make a plan. After my match, I may decide to take time to revisit what didn’t work. That is the time that I make a plan for moving forward.
Do I need more instruction or practice?
In life, I take time to make a plan for what isn’t serving me and is keeping me from using my moments of power.
Do I need help from a coach or therapist?
Do I need to create or revisit my life goals and purpose to have direction?
The only moment that matters now is the next one.
How will you use it?