Believe it or not, it’s harder than you think to live in the moment. With the huge workload on most of us, the focus is a fleeting and difficult thing to master.

Most of us would love to know how to live in the moment. That’s because most of us multitask as a normal way of life. Each day holds a set of responsibilities identical to the day before, with the isolated things that occur differently as well.

There is never a shortage of things that need to be done, but it sometimes feels like there is a shortage of time to do these things.

From multitasking to focus

“So, instead of having some object of worship, we just concentrate on the activity which we do in each moment.”

-Sunryu Suzuki, author of Zen Mind

To live in the moment is to have full control over your focusing abilities. The ancient Japanese method ‘ichigyo-zammai’ can help you increase your productivity by completing one task before embarking upon anything else. It seems simple, right? Well, it can be if you follow a few steps in the process.

The list

Before you do anything of any significance, make a list of all the day’s priorities. First off, list the things that must be accomplished from day to day – the ordinary chores. This helps you complete all that needs to be done and helps you avoid getting behind.

Then list other things that need to be completed, things which are one time jobs. These extra things, when completed, will make you feel well-accomplished at the end of the day.

Rate of importance

The way you perceive your daily duties will also help you complete one task at a time and live in the moment. Ask yourself this question, “Which activities will make you feel most fulfilled at the end of the day?” Using this question will help you put your duties into perspective according to the rate of importance.

It doesn’t matter what’s more important to others. It’s what makes you feel complete.

Time and detail

One way to accomplish one task at a time is to understand how long it takes to complete these jobs or chores. Many people overestimate or underestimate the time it takes to complete certain tasks and either they fall short or waste time in doing things.

When you’re working on something, pay attention to how long it takes to do these things and remember this for the next time you need to do the same job or similar task. Also, use logic because there could always be a setback or added detail that you have forgotten when tackling a certain responsibility.

Retain focus

It’s not enough to just say, “stay focused”. This is harder than it may seem. Use this strategy: Every time you notice your mind wandering to something else, maybe somewhere you rather be, or something more enjoyable you rather be doing, bring your mind back to the task at hand.



Try to enjoy some aspect of what you are doing, even if it is boring. You can find quality in any task if you choose to look.

Be thankful

Always be thankful for the opportunity to be alive at this moment. Be thankful that, even though the project you’re working on may be mundane, but at least you have the ability to complete the job. Most of the time, the lack of focus comes from taking life for granted.

Life is a gift and if you have to do a few boring jobs in order to feel fulfilled and in order, then that’s part of learning. It’s also part of living in the moment, the present time, and during the good and bad. Also, be thankful that you are able to complete these things where others may have been cut short of the finale.

Give all, and do it now!

It’s about giving 100% to whatever you want to do in life. It’s about giving that same amount of respect and time to things you NEED to do as well. This is especially true about your employment when many times you can drift away to some other place only allowing about 30% of yourself to be present.

The other 70% is off in dreamland somewhere wishing you could escape life’s priorities.

The truth is, you can’t. In order to have a productive life, and unless you are stinking rich, you cannot escape the less-than-exciting aspects of your day.

Living in the moment, not only helps you enjoy the thriving and exciting parts of your life with uninhibited freedom, it also helps you live in the moment of your greatest possibilities through achievement.

Staying focused in the here and now will free your soul for the other parts of life, and I know you don’t want to miss that!

Let’s live in the moment and experience our best! With these basic Japanese techniques, we can learn self-discipline in this area, helping us achieve enlightenment and sense of peace.

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