Charge Session #11: CONSCIOUSNESS - The Power of Being Present
Today I was thinking about one of my business partners for 10 years, Dr. Charlie Ward. We practiced the Gonstead method of chiropractic together, and he was like a master in that technique.
But one thing that really stood out about Charlie was this: He made you feel like you were with him for 20 or 30 minutes when he only spent 5 minutes with you.
And that's because he was so present and focused in the moment .
That leads me into today's session: Charge Session #11: CONSCIOUSNESS .
I'll walk you through eight or nine questions, and I want you to pull out your journal and take some notes as you follow along.
Our Goals Today
- Discover how you engage your drive for consciousness
- Learn how to direct that drive in the most useful ways
Rate Yourself on Consciousness
I'm going to read a statement about consciousness, and I want you to rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 based on how much you agree with it.
Here's the statement:
"I feel present and mindful each day. I'm being conscious of how my thoughts and actions are creating my reality. I sense I'm connected to something beyond myself or feel a high-level of awareness."
How much do you agree with that statement on a scale of 1-10?
And then ask yourself: Why did you rate yourself that way?
Write it out.
Maybe write one thing right now that comes to mind about what could help you have better consciousness or presence.
Present Time Consciousness (PTC)
Before we dive into the questions, I want to share something from my high school days.
I played basketball from 1986 through 1989, and my coach, JC Wise, would always say: "Present time consciousness. PTC."
I guess that was big back in the day. But the whole point is: Be focused. Be aware. Be in your moments.
That's what consciousness is all about.
Eight Powerful Questions About Consciousness
1. Are you aware of how your thoughts are shaping your reality and your energy?
Your thoughts create your reality. Are you conscious of this process?
2. Do you feel mindful and present as much as you need to be in your most important relationships?
How do you know? What evidence do you have?
3. What brings you a higher connection with consciousness?
What activities, practices, or moments elevate your awareness?
4. Do you feel awe and wonder regarding the world?
When was the last time you experienced that sense of magic?
5. How often do you sense that magic?
In high performance, we want to be proactive about creating these moments. This is why I'm having you journal. We need to intentionally build more moments like this to strengthen our consciousness.
Consciousness is like a muscle. We practice it day in, day out.
6. Do you feel conscious of your progress in life?
Why or why not? How so?
7. How can you rate your presence each week?
Each week, rate yourself on how present you're being in your most important relationships—spiritual relationships, family, friends, your growth circle.
8. Are you bringing your full energy and presence to every interaction?
When we practice presence, we have a higher level of engagement and enthusiasm with each other. That's called bringing the energy. Bringing your presence. Bringing your ears to a situation.
And that's what high performance is all about: consistently exceeding norms while maintaining positive health and positive relationships .
My Prescription for Growing Presence
One thing that really helps exercise your presence is this: Get out in nature.
Listen to the birds. Listen to a river. Listen to the ocean waves.
In NLP, they talk about waves coming in and waves going out. Literally being out in nature is one of the healthiest things for our brain —it scrubs it clean, so to speak.
If you want to grow your presence and attention in moments, the best thing to do is get out in nature and go for a walk .
That's my recommendation. My prescription for you.
A Simple Practice: The Doorway Tap
Here's one last thing I want to share with you.
When I'm with client members or patient members, I use a simple practice. Before I walk into a room, I tap the doorway and remind myself:
- World's best doctor
- World's best husband
- World's best dad
- World's best friend
- World's best mentor
When you remind yourself to be that best person in the moment , you can show up better in life.
And it's important to visualize what this looks like .
When you go in to see that patient, that hurting person in that room, when you visit the sick—you are better for it .
People remember how you made them feel.
When you practice this, you become more present .
Take Action Today
If you have not been practicing presence, if this is something you've not done—please go out there and try it.
And if you've not thought about this before, I would love to give you a FREE 5 Step Clarity Blueprint so you can work through this and become a better individual in life.
The world needs light, especially now more than ever.
So quit letting another opportunity go by. Stop sitting on your hands and delaying your progress.
This world needs your light. The more light in this world, the less darkness.
I believe that.
Get Your Free Clarity Blueprint
If you don't want to hit that external link, simply text "CLARITY" to 423.460.9757 and I'll be happy to send you that blueprint for free.
This is Dr. Howard Dennis, your certified high performance coach.
Go out there and be more present today.
Ready to grow your consciousness? Text "CLARITY" to 423.460.9757 for your free 5 Step Clarity Blueprint.