My wise friend Marvin Smith sent me an article he wrote for Color magazine in the USA, "Creative Practices to Give You the Edge". The first advice he offers is: “Be in the moment. Being present, responsive and tuned in is critical for establishing rapport. The rapport will help you move around in the conversation and share control of the meeting.”
Excellent advice. I know it’s true from my own experience. The question is: how to achieve it?
The concept comes originally from Zen Buddhism. Part of the issue is the fact that in our modern world we are so future focused that we fail to notice what is going on around us right now. For example, it’s so easy to walk down a street and notice nothing about the buildings, the people, or anything else. In a meeting we can be making a presentation and lose all contact with what others are thinking and feeling. If you are facilitating creativity and innovation, this can be quite disastrous.
Becoming mindfully aware of what’s happening here and now in the room – thoughts, senses and feelings – is the point. Calmly centred, aware, attending, available, responsive and creative.
Being in THIS moment is a choice we can all make. How do you achieve it?
Excellent advice. I know it’s true from my own experience. The question is: how to achieve it?
The concept comes originally from Zen Buddhism. Part of the issue is the fact that in our modern world we are so future focused that we fail to notice what is going on around us right now. For example, it’s so easy to walk down a street and notice nothing about the buildings, the people, or anything else. In a meeting we can be making a presentation and lose all contact with what others are thinking and feeling. If you are facilitating creativity and innovation, this can be quite disastrous.
Becoming mindfully aware of what’s happening here and now in the room – thoughts, senses and feelings – is the point. Calmly centred, aware, attending, available, responsive and creative.
Being in THIS moment is a choice we can all make. How do you achieve it?
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