WordSisters

We live in a world full of distractions. From our smartphones to our busy schedules, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But what happens when we’re so preoccupied that we fail to notice what’s right in front of us?

In this now-famous experiment, a group of participants is asked to pass a basketball to one another while counting the number of times they pass it. In the midst of all the action, a person in a gorilla suit walks through the scene, but only a tiny percentage of participants actually notice. Participants were so focused on their assigned tasks, counting the passes, few noticed the gorilla.

The experiment serves as a powerful reminder that we can be so focused on completing our solo tasks, formulating an answer, or on our desire to succeed that we fail to take the opportunity to laugh at the gorilla in the room. The gorilla could just as well have been a child smiling at us, an oriole landing outside our office window. There’s a time to focus and a time to look up and enjoy life and each other.

It’s not just about noticing gorillas, though. Being present and paying attention can have a significant impact on our relationships, our work and our overall well-being. When we’re not fully engaged with the people and things around us, we miss out on opportunities to connect, learn and grow.

So, how can we cultivate a greater sense of presence and awareness in our lives? Here are a few tips my friends and colleagues have found helpful:

• Put down your phone. We’ve all heard this one before, but it’s worth repeating. Our phones can be a major source of distraction, pulling us away from the present moment, the book we are reading and the people we are with.

• Be mindful. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness meditation each day can make a big difference in our ability to stay focused and present.

• Take breaks. It’s easy to get caught up in the go-go-go of modern life, perhaps even easier now that I’m working less than full-time and have a more erratic schedule. But taking a quick walk around the block or spending a few minutes concentrating on my breath makes it easier to pay attention.

• Embrace life’s transitions. Life is a series of transitions, and that’s especially true as we age. We go from being a student to working full-time, from being single to having kids and grandkids, from being a parent to becoming an empty-nester, from focusing on our work to enjoying retirement.

• Prioritize self-care. Taking care of ourselves becomes especially important as we age so we need to dedicate time to nurturing our physical, mental and emotional well-being, whether that’s meeting a friend for dinner, taking a bath or spending time in nature.

At the end of the day. Paying attention is about more than just noticing gorillas. It’s about being fully present in our lives in the world around us. When we’re able to do that, we open ourselves up to new experiences, deeper connection and a greater sense of fulfillment. And what could be better than that?