How to Be Successful

We must start to treat our careers the way we treat our craft! When we are feeling unsettled or afraid, it’s usually because we are living in the past or the future, not the present.

I know for me, if I’m disturbed it’s because I’m afraid something from my past that I didn’t like very much might repeat itself, or that something in the future could happen to screw up what I want. It’s like playing the end of the scene! You’re way too far ahead and missing the journey.

This business and all its built-in ambition and focus on “success” can drive us to forget that everything is happening in this moment, exactly as it’s supposed to be. The reality is that time is an illusion, albeit a persistent one, but an illusion nonetheless. The only thing that exists is this moment, right now, as you’re reading this blog. And no matter what it looks like, everything is just as it should be.

Philosophy lesson aside 🧘‍♂️, how do you practically apply this to your life? Especially when noticing you are being present feels like it will pull you out of the moment...

For me, I find that yoga and meditation are the two most useful tools to get me in the moment without overthinking it. Traditional Hatha Yoga requires you to connect to your body in the moment through breathing and poses. Meditation is all about stepping out of your constantly running inner dialogue and dropping into a state of just being. And luckily, there are an amazing amount of ways to explore both, especially through technology.

My favorite go-to for meditation is Oprah & Deepak’s 21-Day Meditation Experience, but you can also check out apps like Calm and Headspace, or look for a local teacher through your favorite yoga studio. You can find yoga studios near you and book classes through the MindBody app.

Now, if these things seem too Woo Woo for you, there are plenty of healthy alternatives. I have clients that find that salsa dancing brings them into the moment, or for others, it’s coloring, drawing, writing, running, or completing puzzles. Discover whatever best calms your nervous system and helps you to remember that right now, you’ve got everything you need.

What are your favorite exercises or practices that bring you back into the present? Let me know in the comments below, or better yet, tag me in an Instagram post @bretshuford and share your suggestions!

Looking for more balance on the regular? Check out the 5-Day Balance on Broadway Challenge.