What if there was a way to reclaim your energy, reduce your stress, and improve your overall sense of well-being? A way that didn’t involve overhauling your entire life but simply shifting how you approach each moment?
This blog will explore why living in the present moment is a game-changer for professional women, and I’ll offer practical tips to help you make this shift and enjoy more peace, clarity, and energy in your daily life.
Regrets and Worries: The Biggest Energy Drainers
For professional women, the twin emotions of regret and worry are two of the biggest energy drainers. These emotions often dominate our mental landscape, causing us to replay scenarios from the past or project anxious fears about the future. Over time, this mental exhaustion impacts our ability to focus and makes it harder to find joy or fulfilment in the present moment.
Consider how these thoughts may sound in your life:
- “I shouldn’t have said that during the meeting—now everyone thinks I’m not ready for the promotion.”
- “I shouldn’t have taken my full maternity leave—now I’ve lost a key client to my male colleague.”
- “I yelled at my child again. I’m failing as a mother, and what if I’ve caused lasting emotional harm?”
- “I feel stuck in this career, but it’s too late to change. Why did I study law?”
These thoughts aren’t unique to you—they’re familiar to most women trying to navigate the pressures of career, family, and personal fulfilment. Yet they can drain your energy, leaving you emotionally depleted and unable to focus on what really matters: right now.
The Wisdom of the Present Moment
In 1999, Eckhart Tolle introduced the world to the transformative concept of “living in the present moment” in his renowned book The Power of Now. While the book is filled with profound teachings, one core lesson stands out for busy professional women: focusing on the present moment as a powerful tool to conserve emotional energy and prevent burnout.
Eckhart Tolle’s teachings offer two critical insights into how to handle regrets and worries that can drastically improve your mental clarity and emotional resilience:
- You acted according to the situation at the time. The decisions you made in the past were influenced by the knowledge, experience, and circumstances you had then. As you grow older and gain more experience, you may choose to do things differently, but that doesn’t mean your past decisions were wrong. Instead, acknowledge that you did your best in those moments.
- You cannot change the past or control the future. Dwelling on the past won’t alter what has already happened, and worrying about the future doesn’t prepare you for it. If anything, it drains the energy you need for today’s challenges.
The essence of living in the present moment is this: accept what has happened, let go of what you can’t control, and focus on what you can do right now. By directing your attention to the present, you free yourself from the emotional burdens of regret and worry and create space for clarity and action.
The Power of Now for Professional Women
For busy professional women, living in the present is not just a spiritual ideal; it’s a practical strategy for conserving energy and avoiding burnout. Whether you’re negotiating a deal, managing your team, or dealing with family responsibilities, being fully present transforms how you engage with every aspect of your life. Let’s explore some practical ways to begin living in the moment.
- Practice Mindful Awareness
The first step to living in the present is becoming aware of when your mind is slipping into regret about the past or anxiety about the future. When this happens, gently acknowledge it and bring your attention back to the present task. Here’s how it might work:
- “I notice that I’m worrying about the future again. This isn’t helpful. I will bring my focus back to the task at hand in this moment.”
- “I notice that I’m feeling guilty about something I did in the past. Thinking about it won’t change what happened. I will focus on what I can do right now.”
Over time, this practice of gently guiding your mind back to the present will become easier, and you’ll find that your energy levels improve as you spend less time dwelling on unchangeable events.
- Accept What Is
One of the central teachings of The Power of Now is the concept of radical acceptance. This means accepting the present moment exactly as it is, without resistance or wishing it were different. This doesn’t mean giving up on goals or improvements but rather starting from a place of acceptance.
- At work: When you encounter an unexpected challenge or a setback, instead of spiralling into worry or self-blame, pause and acknowledge the situation. Ask yourself, “What can I do right now?” Acceptance helps you remain calm, focused, and solutions oriented.
- At home: Life with family is often unpredictable. Whether it’s dealing with a child’s tantrum or an argument with a partner, practice accepting the situation without judgment. Acceptance reduces emotional resistance, making it easier to respond calmly rather than react with frustration.
- Set Boundaries and Prioritise Self-Care
Living in the present also involves being mindful of your own energy levels and recognizing when to set boundaries. Protecting your mental and emotional well-being is crucial for long-term success. Read my blog Self-care tips for busy professionals here
- Engage Fully in Each Moment
The simplest, yet most transformative tip for living in the present is to fully engage with whatever you are doing at any given time. Whether it’s listening to your child, contributing to a meeting, or even doing household chores, give your complete attention to the task. Multitasking divides your attention and drains your energy. Engaging fully with one task at a time will help you feel more accomplished and less frazzled.
Final Thoughts: Reclaim Your Energy, Live in the Now
Living in the present moment is one of the most powerful ways professional women can conserve emotional energy, reduce stress, and regain balance in their lives. By focusing on the here and now, you can release the burden of regrets about the past and anxieties about the future. This practice allows you to engage more fully with your career, your family, and your personal goals—creating more space for joy and fulfilment in your everyday life.
Remember, the present moment is all we truly have. Embrace it, and you’ll find that it’s more than enough.
Wendela Elsen is an ICF certified coach and EFT practitioner. She helps professional women navigate draining life challenges to restore joy and fulfilment in work, family and social life. You can read more about her work on her website https://openrabbit.com
©Wendela Elsen, 2024, All rights reserved.