I tend to share past entries out of my journal with my email list. Today, I want to share something a bit reflective with you. It’s about being present, really being where your feet are. I’ll be honest—I struggle with this. My mind is always darting from one thought to another, hardly ever just being still. But there’s a beautiful lesson in learning to be present, not just for our mental health but also for our spiritual journey. This is actually from a journal entry from a couple of years ago, but it got me thinking a lot about your mindset and content creation.
The Struggle with Presence
You know, the concept of ‘being where your feet are' sounds simple, right? But it's anything but that for most of us. Our minds are crowded places, bustling with the noise of ‘what ifs’ and ‘I need to.’ It's tough just to be still. And here’s something interesting—while we're talking about presence, we're also talking about awareness. Awareness of the moment, of our feelings, and our blessings in our daily life.
The Power of Awareness
This awareness is crucial. Even now, I rarely sit down with a hot cup of coffee, get cozy, snuggle with my puppies, and enjoy that moment. Take the time to truly feel all my blessings and give that magical cup of coffee my full focus.
What I’m finding is the days that I take those moments of gratitude. It pays forward with how I approach the day ahead. But it takes practice to have these moments. The Bible says in Psalm 46:10, ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’ That’s about finding peace in presence and knowing that there’s profound faith and understanding in the stillness. The awareness that we are not in this life alone. God is with us, and he puts the right people in our lives. It is up to us to cherish what we have.
Spiritual Perspective on Contentment
How often do you find yourself always striving for more? Rushing through the present with a temptation to always want more? That urge doesn’t come from a place of gratitude. It can lead us away from our path, from what God wants for us. He wants us to thrive, to follow His ways, His rules—and oh, how I love following rules! But part of what Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11, ‘I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.' It’s not about what we accumulate but what we appreciate.
Practical Steps to Increase Presence (Professional Focus)
Let’s shift gears to how being present influences you and your business. To truly have the impact your heart desires.
This impact comes from the pieces of content that you create. Isn’t the best content the pieces that you are fully present when you create it. Being present in your work means being deeply engaged with the task, whether strategizing your content calendar or creating compelling, impactful material.
Here are a few steps I've implemented that you might find useful:
- Single-Tasking Over Multi-Tasking: Focus on one project at a time. This improves the quality and speeds up the process because your attention isn't divided. When you switch tasks, your energy can have small shifts, so keep the right mindset to create great content.
- Scheduled Check-Ins: Regularly step back to assess the direction of your work. Are you aligned with your business goals? Is your content doing what it’s supposed to do? Are you using your long-form content and repurposing it to social posts?
- Mindful Meetings: Whether it’s with clients or team members, being fully present in meetings ensures more productive outcomes and fewer misunderstandings.
- Embrace Automation: Use tools and systems to handle repetitive tasks. This frees up mental space, allowing you to be more creative and strategic with your content.
Embracing Change and Letting Go
Change is hard. We resist it, even when it’s good for us. But to truly embrace presence, we sometimes need to let go. Let go of the clothes that just sit in our closet, the tasks we do out of obligation, and the stress that doesn’t serve us. This isn’t just cleaning out; it’s making room for new growth and blessings. When we let go it allows us to have a growth mindset instead of staying stuck in a fixed mindset and not looking for possibility.
Breaking Down the Overwhelm
Let's talk about those moments when the weight of everything on our shoulders feels too heavy—when our to-do lists seem a mile long and our minds buzz with wants, needs, and what-ifs. It's natural to feel overwhelmed in these moments, but a strategy can bring us back to a state of effectiveness and calm: focusing on the present moment. I know, right, It is easy to say and sometimes hard to do.
Here's a quick story that brings this idea to life. A few weeks ago, my husband, our youngest daughter, who was home from college on spring break, and I were playing Rummikub. Bryar can easily see how to move around the tiles. My competitive family likes to keep tabs on who wins, and she has signed the box the most out of the three of us. Well, during the game, my husband had to step away to take a phone call, and we paused the game until he returned.
When he returned and sat down, he immediately placed his tiles in ways he hadn’t noticed before. Surprised, he said, ‘Why did I not see these before?' And that’s when I told him, ‘Sometimes, you need to step back and come back with fresh eyes.' He agreed, saying, ‘Yes, it does.'
This simple moment in our family game night is a perfect metaphor for what we often face in our busy lives. Just like stepping away from the game gave my husband a new perspective, taking a moment to pause and assess our small business and personal challenges can reveal solutions and opportunities we might not see. At the same time, we’re caught up in the hustle.
So, when you feel overwhelmed, remember the power of a short break. It's not just about stepping away; it's about returning with a fresh perspective that can make all the difference.
Applying Presence to Content Creation
Now, let’s take this concept of presence and apply it directly to content creation, which, as many of you know, is a big part of my world. Just like in our personal and business lives, being present can transform the content creation process. Successful content creators understand their best work is done with a present and positive mindset.
When we’re overwhelmed with ideas, deadlines, and the pressure to produce, it’s easy to lose sight of the creativity and purpose behind our work. Here’s how we can apply the ‘Pause and Assess' strategy specifically to content creation:
- Clear the Clutter: Before you start working on a new piece of content, take a moment to clear away any unnecessary distractions. This could be physical clutter on your desk or digital clutter on your computer. I don’t know about you, but I have many open windows, which can be distracting.
- Focus on One Piece at a Time: Instead of juggling multiple content pieces simultaneously, focus intensely on one. This could mean taking one piece of content from start to finish. Maybe you’re not someone that can batch-create. You may need to take one idea from start to finish. While batching is effective, it may not work for everyone.
- Reflect on Your Goals: What is the purpose of the content you’re creating? Who is it for? Realigning with your goals can refresh your perspective and inspire new ideas.
- Take a Creative Break: If you're stuck, step away for a while. Just like my husband found new ways to lay down his tiles after his break, you might find new inspiration for your content after some time away from the screen. Get up, move your body, and let your mind wander to your next great idea.
- Return with Fresh Eyes: When you return, look at your content as if seeing it for the first time. Sometimes, this fresh perspective can help you spot opportunities for improvement or new angles you hadn’t considered before.
By being fully present in each step of the content creation process, you will produce work that aligns with you and creates the desired impact. Remember, every piece of content you create is an extension of your presence in the online world. Show up how you want to be seen and make it count.
Call to Listeners:
Before I wrap up this post, I want to take a moment to talk about something close to my heart—helping you make the most of your content. As a content manager and podcaster, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to keep up with the demands of creating, managing, and repurposing content.
That’s where I come in. My content marketing services are designed to take the load off your shoulders, whether you want to streamline your content systems or breathe new life into old posts.
From setting up efficient content systems in your favorite project management tool to repurposing your podcast into blog posts, social media snippets, and beyond, I’m here to help you maximize your impact with minimum stress. View my service if you’re ready to transform your content strategy and free up more time to focus on what you truly love. Let’s make your content work smarter, not harder.
Time To Wrap This Up:
As I wrap up, remember that the journey to being more present—personally and professionally—is paved with intentional, small steps. By focusing on what we can do right now, we not only manage our daily tasks more effectively but also live our lives more fully. This is the essence of being where our feet are—fully immersed, fully engaged, and fully alive to the opportunities of the present moment.