Learning how to live in the present can be difficult, especially if all you focus on are the challenges, difficulties, and negativity in your life. Learning how to ground yourself in the good moments of each and every day will bring you happiness and success, especially if you set yourself attainable goals and commit to taking daily steps toward them.
Focusing on the Now
If you are focused on what happened to you in the past or looking forward to the future, then you are missing out on what is happening right now. Jack Nicholson is quoted as saying, “A lot of people can’t remember things because they weren’t actually there to begin with.”
Are you on the phone? Are you thinking about all that could be better in your life? Are you sad or angry because of something that happened in your past? Then you aren’t actually present in your life.
If you aren’t living in the NOW, then you are not only missing your own life, but you’ll never be truly happy. Living in the present can help you feel more in control, less stressed, and happier.
Focusing on right now – rather than on problems, chores, the traffic, and so on – will help you to concentrate on what makes you happy. But you have to make an effort to think about your happiness and what is happening right now in your life to maintain a positive outlook.
If you focus on what’s going wrong in your life, you will get more of what’s wrong in your life. If you focus more on what’s going right in your life, you’ll get more of what’s right. Click To TweetHow to Live in the Present
Many people are stuck in the past or living for the future, and they are missing out on the wonderful experiences in their life right now. To truly be happy, you shouldn’t worry about yesterday’s worries nor tomorrow’s concerns. If you aren’t living in the moment, then you aren’t really living at all.
To live in the present, consider these three tips:
1. Appreciate the Little Things
Author Richard Carlson said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” But there’s more to being happy than just avoiding the stress of everyday life. You need to actively appreciate the small stuff.
People tend to overlook everyday moments that make them smile. They’ll remember that driver who cut them off on their way to work. They’ll fume over the off-hand comment from a co-worker. They still think about how their high school crush denied them a dance.
But do they remember the stranger that complimented them? Or when a friend gave them a gift out of the blue? Or the time they laughed so hard they cried?
These are the times we should remember so that we can move forward in our lives with a sense of inner peace.
2. Redefine What Makes You Happy
What makes you happy? Is your happiness dependent on doing, having, or achieving certain things?
Most people are unhappy because they base their happiness on making a certain amount of money or reaching a certain weight or having a perfect relationship. But what if they never make that much money or lose that much weight or find their soulmate? Will they just never be happy?
Other people miss out on their chance to be happy because they are still resentful over past hurts. No matter the pain that you endured in your past, you do not need to continue carrying the sadness or anger. Realize that the other person caused you harm, but stop letting it keep you from being happy today.
Make your happiness lie in today – in the job you have, in the pound you lost, in a friend you have. The little joys that happen every day accumulate and multiply when stacked upon each other.
3. Set Goals
Every day is a day to realize your dreams. But you have to set goals – both big and small – in order to get there. And be sure that you aren’t wasting your precious days simply dreaming about tomorrow.
At the same time, don’t dwell on past accomplishments. You haven’t reached your peak, and you certainly could still achieve more by working toward your goals every day.
“Think big. Start small.” Right? So take a step towards having your own business. Make a plan to retire early. Set your sights on being financially free.
Fill Each Day with Joy
Now, create a list of three actions for today or tomorrow. Remember, small, attainable goals that lead toward one or two “big ticket” ones are most effective. Research a business idea. Go for a power walk. Sign up for that workshop. But make a daily commitment to take steps toward your goals.
By appreciating the little things, redefining what makes you happy, and setting attainable goals, you are ensuring your present – and future – happiness.
Why?
Because you’ll gain confidence and strength of spirit. You’ll know that when you commit to something, you will do it. You will keep moving toward your goals, and you won’t let anything get in your way.
But most importantly, you can’t appreciate the big stuff that comes with success if you can’t be grateful for the small stuff happening in the present.
I’ve put together a FREE, brand-new online training class to help you learn not only how to recognize everyday happiness, but also how to be happy no matter what happens in your life. It’s called:
The Shocking Truth About Happiness
If you’ll join me for this FREE class, I guarantee you will be much better equipped to create real and lasting happiness in your life.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll discover:
- Why happiness is your natural state of being
- How to eliminate the true source of UNhappiness
- How to be happy AND achieve more in life
- The seven precepts of happiness you MUST understand in order to be truly happy
And much, much more!
Remember, time is your most precious asset. In less time than it takes to sit through a few episodes of a Netflix show, you can attend this class and get on the path to a completely new and much more joyful life.
Just by signing up, you’re living in the present and taking your first action step toward prioritizing your own happiness.
Click here or select a time and date below. I hope to see you there!
Communicate how much you appreciate the people in your life who add love, humor, knowledge, wisdom, value… anything that makes your life great right now. Communicate this to the universe, whatever that means for you. Focus your positive energy on what’s good and what’s right.
To Your Success,
UP NEXT:
Want True Happiness? Make It The Most Important Thing In Your Life

Love it! T hanks!
Well everything here is true, and line I like the most is “Everything is Energy ” plus I made a list of 10 things am grateful for in two minutes. I need to learn to appreciate more of the little things that are happening in my life in this very moment.
Excellent, Harv eker is a Great teacher and mentor
DANKBARKEIT, 🙂 ich bin so dankbar,das ich so gut gesegnet bin.
DANKE FÜR IHRE WERTVOLLEN BOTSCHAFTEN
Loved it.
Thanks, Harv!
I needed to be reminded. Too much crap going on with one of my adult kids but I feel so much better already, after reading this post! : :)))
Hugs to you!
Harv
You are a blessing truly…
Wishing you the life and opportunities to keep reaching and teaching millions and millions more..
Thank you for all that you do and all that you have done to be the person you are..
Thank my teacher
So great 😍