Live in the moment

How many times do we hear these phrases?

They may well be true, but should we really be pushing ourselves forward, living in fear of the consequences of standing still?

Perhaps we’re not meant to treat every moment as if it were our last or feel guilty when we’re not.

The Roman poet Horace first coined the phrase ‘carpe diem’ in 23 BC as a way of encouraging readers to seize opportunity without hesitation. Amid the noise of modern society, his words are often misinterpreted.

Think for a second about Black Friday deals and relentless social media advertising, constantly priming us to accept that the time is (always) now. You feverishly try to decide whether FOMO is stronger than your common sense, as the clock on the screen ticks down mercilessly.

We’re often led to believe that being a little reckless offers the promise of a more exciting life, but the risks often outweigh the benefits. It’s controlled boldness rather than impulsiveness that leads to greater satisfaction. And knowing you’re ready when opportunity comes knocking – or knowing you’re not.

Imagine this.

You wake up at 6 am. You gaze out of the window, and there’s not a cloud in the sky. You quickly put on your training shoes and hit the road.

If you have an event coming up, preparation is going well, and you’ve been waiting for the right conditions to challenge yourself, then it makes sense to seize the moment with both feet.

But if you’re nursing a temperamental Achilles and know you should only be resting or riding your bike, you’ve strayed into reckless territory.

We can’t deny that some risk is necessary to make progress. You and your Achilles will have to get out on the road at some point but knowing when you’re ready is key.

Ask yourself, what’s most important to you right now? What do you want to achieve? By when? What is most likely to derail your plans?

Being intentionally present in your own life enables you to answer these questions. This in turn helps you plan, carve out opportunities and seize them when they arrive.

Take a couple of minutes to sit quietly today, no agenda, no script, no pressure, and see what comes up for you.

When the perfect moment arrives, you’ll be ready!