Here are some ideas on how to tackle this challenge:
• Aim to spend most of your days present and mindful – while also regularly taking dedicated time for reflection about the future and your values, vision, aspirations and checking if you are on course towards that future. How often that time should be depends on you and your preference and way of functioning, but the rule of thumb would be to do “big reflection” every six months or so, and then do a smaller “check-in” reflections every month or even every week.
• Whenever facing a choice, keep on asking a magic question “How can I be happy now AND in the future?” (as proposed by Tal Ben Shahar in his book Happier
• Spend time talking to friends who are strong at the opposite perspective than yourself – e.g. if you great with spending time in the moment but easily lose sight of the bigger picture, spend time and talk with friends who are great at the big picture.
• Notice which of the two aspects is your stronger side and work on purposefully strengthening and developing the other – e.g. if you are not great with the “big picture”, take more time for reflection and do exercises related to developing life vision and goals, and if you are less great with mindfulness, work on regular exercises of mindfulness and look into how to boost positive emotions.
• Look for ideas on the “big picture” under Pillar 11 – Meaning and Pillar 7 – continuous self-development
• Look for the ideas about Moment under Pillar 1 – Mindfulness and presence, Pillar 2 – Positive emotions and Pillar 3 – engagement and flow
• Explore the concept of Flow and strengthen flow in your own life, as that is a unique state that bridges these two aspects by bringing full focus and engagement together with a meaningful goal
The key is to achieving this balance is to understand which of these two – being present in the moment or focusing on a big picture of life – is easier for you and which one you do better, and then strengthen the other one by providing space, exercises, reminders and conversations related to it.
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