Best-selling US author and time management expert Laura Vanderkam explains the psychology behind savouring the moment in her new book Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done, excerpts from which appeared in an article at ideas.ted.com.
Positive thinking over time
Vandkerkam cites the example of an ageing climber who reached the summit of a 4000m high mountain. As well as admiring the view, the man reflected on how he might never reach such heights again, how he had had to overcome injury in order to make it now, and how he might look back on this moment in years to come.
There are several ways in which you might deepen the experience of the moment:
- Reflect on how long you have looked forward to this moment and what it really means to you.
- Remember nothing lasts for ever and enjoy every second of the given moment.
- Absorb the atmosphere so you will be able to recall every detail of it later.
- If there are other people around you, tell them about your feelings.
- Consider how you will describe the moment to people who are not present.
This approach can be applied to different settings. For instance, a teacher faced with a group of unwilling students might feel frustrated in her job; however, there may come a day in the future when that teacher will look back with nostalgia at a time when she was physically and mentally alert, and able to cope with the demands of her profession. Becoming aware of this may help the teacher to appreciate the present time more.
The second part of this article will look in more detail at how you can create moments to savour.
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