Now, Then and When

Where is your focus? Are you a future focused person, always planning ahead and setting goals to achieve in the long term.  Or are you focused on the past, your achievements and memories, perhaps even missed opportunities and regrets? Or are you content in the present moment?  

An article form Science Direct has concluded that : 

*Past focus has maladaptive work and life outcomes such as depression. 

*Present focus increases life satisfaction, but correlates with impulsive behaviors. 

*Future focus is more cognitive in nature and leads to life and work achievements. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X18300393 

All these types of focus are relevant and useful at times, looking back to reflect and learn, while looking forward gives us direction.  Focusing on the present gives us enjoyment.  But if our focus is too much on the future or the past, what are we missing in the present?   

We all have limited resources in terms of thinking space as well as emotional and physical energy – although some do have more than others depending on personality type and health factors – so by putting our time and energy into the here and now, we are utilising the learning from our past and investing into our future.  An athlete may have a goal to compete and win, but it is only when the athlete focuses on the everyday training rituals that they will ever achieve their long term goals. 

So where are you at today?  Has Lockdown made you focus on what has been, past accomplishments or opportunities that have now gone; or are you overwhelmed by thinking so much about the future that you are unable to plan a way forward.  We need balance.  We need a secure base from which to thrive.  Taking time to establish ourselves in the present, reflecting on the past and making Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound plans (SMART Goals) for the future. 

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/coronavirus/tips-to-cope-with-anxiety-lockdown-lifting/ 

https://lifehacker.com/are-you-future-focused-or-present-focused-5943270