Live Now: Why Presence Is Power
We live in a world constantly pulling us in different directions — regret over the past, anxiety about the future, pressure to do more, be more, achieve more. Amid all that noise, the present moment is easy to miss. But here’s the truth: this moment — right now — is all you actually have.
Learning to be fully present isn’t just some feel-good advice — it’s a real, powerful skill that improves your mental health, strengthens your relationships and deepens your connection with yourself. Presence builds confidence not by changing who you are, but by helping you fully realize who you already are.
Confidence in your abilities to go after your goals can sometimes be difficult to find or keep.
It can sometimes take time to discover the confidence you have inside you. This can be especially true if you are trying something new.
I have a program that can help you to discover what is holding you back from achieving your goals as well as help you set an attainable goal related to where you are in your life and where you are trying to be.
This program also works with you to build up your confidence in being able to reach your goal.
You can find out more about this program at Confidology, a funny name but a serious program.
You can contact me to talk about this or any other aspect of confidence and success at michael@coachmichaelw.com
Visit the site and read through the program description.
If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
This article explores three key reasons to be present and walks you through three practical, everyday strategies to get grounded and stay there.
3 Life-Changing Benefits of Being Present
1. Stronger Relationships and Social Awareness
Being present transforms how you engage with others. When you’re fully tuned in to conversations — listening instead of thinking about what to say next, observing instead of assuming — you build deeper, more authentic relationships. People feel heard and seen around you, which builds trust and connection.
Why this matters:
Your presence is a gift. When you offer it freely, people feel more drawn to you. Your social confidence rises naturally because you’re no longer performing — you’re just being.
2. Less Stress, More Clarity
Worry thrives in the “what ifs.” But when you focus on what’s actually happening right now, stress loosens its grip. Mindfulness keeps your attention on the present task or moment, which allows your mind to rest from future forecasting and overthinking.
Why this matters:
Living in the now simplifies your mental load. It quiets the background noise and gives you a clearer perspective, especially during high-pressure moments.
3. More Self-Acceptance and Confidence
When you’re stuck in the past or chasing a future version of yourself, it’s easy to feel like you’re not enough. But being present invites you to look at yourself right now — not just where you’ve been or where you want to go. You begin to notice the good: your strength, your resilience, your unique personality.
Why this matters:
You stop waiting for “one day” to love or believe in yourself. You find the value in who you are today. That is the heart of real confidence.
3 Simple and Effective Ways to Live in the Moment
1. Start with Deep, Intentional Breathing
Breath is your anchor to the now. When your mind starts racing, focus on your breath. Slow, deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system (the part responsible for calming your body). This simple practice immediately grounds you in the present.
Try this:
Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four and exhale for six. Do three rounds. It resets your mind and body in under a minute.
2. Practice Daily Gratitude
Your mind naturally scans for problems — it’s how we survive. But gratitude rewires it to also scan for good. Taking a moment each day to name a few things you’re grateful for helps shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s already working.
Try this:
Each night, jot down three things that made you smile, helped you grow or brought you peace. They don’t have to be big — sunlight through your window counts.
3. Let Go Through Forgiveness
Holding onto resentment, shame or guilt keeps you stuck in time. Forgiveness isn’t about condoning bad behaviour — it’s about releasing yourself from the mental weight of carrying it. When you forgive yourself and others, you stop living in a past you can’t change.
Try this:
Write a short letter you’ll never send. Say what you need to say, then let it go. This clears space in your mind to be here now.
Why the Present Is All You Need
The present moment is the only place where action, change, joy and healing can actually happen. The past is memory. The future is imagination. Right now is reality. When you ground yourself in the moment, you regain control — not over time, but over how you use it.
Here’s what being present doesn’t mean:
- Ignoring your goals
- Forgetting your past
- Pretending everything’s fine
Being present means not letting your mind hijack your moment. It’s choosing awareness over autopilot. It’s deciding that your peace is more important than chasing perfection.
Building a Presence Practice That Lasts
Like any skill, being present improves with practice. These daily rituals make mindfulness a natural part of your life:
- Digital boundaries: Set screen-free times during your day. Even 30 minutes of no scrolling can reset your attention.
- Focused eating: No phones. No multitasking. Just taste, chew and enjoy.
- Mindful walking: Pay attention to your steps, your breath, the air on your skin.
Remember, you don’t have to do everything all at once. Choose one practice and stick with it for a week. Presence grows when it’s consistent, not complicated.
Presence Builds Confidence from the Inside Out
When you live in the moment, you stop waiting for the “perfect time” to be confident, happy or worthy. You realize the time is already here. And you’re already enough.
Confidence doesn’t require a perfect track record. It requires attention. Awareness. Self-trust. And all of that begins when you stop rushing through your life and start showing up for it.
To talk about any aspect of success or working with a Life Coach to help you to achieve success, you can book a 30-minute call by clicking on the blue button below.
Don’t try to do all of this by yourself, ask and receive the guidance that can get you moving towards your own success.
Working together can help you overcome personal and professional barriers, ensuring you reach your highest potential.
Nothing happens until action is taken.
To your success.
Michael
P.S Don’t forget to visit Confidology to learn more about the program. If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
P.P.S if you want to find out more about my programs just check out the site Confidence and Life Coaching
P.P.P.S. If you enjoy reading these articles on my blog, I have more books that have more of this type of information that you can find out more about at Books to Read. You can buy these ebooks at many on-line book stores. The links to the bookstores are at the link above.
P.P.P.P.S. I have posted a series of articles on the “Fear of Success” at Confidence and Life Coaching. You can also request a free PDF of all 4-articles by sending me an email message at michael@coachmichaelw.com
