Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE

I wonder how much energy we waste by spending it on two things about which we can do nothing – regretting the past and worrying about the future?

Time is arranged into past, present and future. The past is, well, past. We can do nothing about it. Our lives are written in indelible ink. Once the story is put down, it can’t be altered. And yes, in that story there will always be those things we regret, which are embarrassing, which could have been done better. We may not be particularly proud of some parts of our story – but they are part of our story. No matter how much energy we spend regretting past actions, nothing will change them. The story we have written needs to be “taken as read”. We learn from our past, and move on.

Worrying about the future is another energy-wasting occupation. Preparing for the future is wise – but worrying about it is foolish. Worrying about the future is a sure way to spoil the only reality we have – the present. For many people, right now could be a wonderful moment. But they will never experience how good this moment is because they are using it to worry about what might happen in the future! We look forward to a good future. But when the future becomes the present, we worry about the future – and so the good future never comes. How much time and energy is wasted worrying about things that never happen? Just think what we could do if we invested that time and energy constructively.

By all means, prepare for the future. The best way to prepare for the future is to take care of the present. If you use the present moment to its’ fullest, seizing the opportunities and experiences it offers, then it will be a good foundation for the future. Good use of the present leads to a good future. Wasting the present, by regretting the past and worrying about the future, will almost certainly lead to our fears being realized since we build the future based on a foundation of worry and regret.

Try watching your thoughts today. See if you can catch yourself either worrying about the future or regretting the past. Thoughts are strange things. Once we become aware that we are thinking them, they tend to go away. Being aware of unhelpful thoughts about the past or the future helps us move off them. Don’t judge yourself for thinking them, otherwise they will become one more thing to add to the list of worries and regrets. Just be aware of them and don’t dwell on them – notice them and let them go. And then focus on doing the best you can with what is happening right now.

Perhaps the best way to enjoy life’s journey can be summed up in three principles:
Let go of the past. Make use of the present. Have hope for the future.





PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE - To learn more about this author, visit Jonathan Payne's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
Joe Dager
Joe Dager is President of Business901, a progressive coaching company providing no-nonsense direction in areas such as Lean Six Sigma Marketing and organized referral marketing. What others say: In the past 20 years, Joe and I have collaborated on many difficult issues. Joe’s ability to combine his expertise with “out of the box” thinking is unsurpassed. He has always delivered quickly, cost effectively and with ingenuity. A brilliant mind that is always a pleasure to work with.” - James R. If you want to learn more about Business901, start a conversation with us. We can be found @ Web/Blog: Business901.com Web/Blog: FundingYourNonprofit.com LinkedIn Profile Follow me on Twitter - Visit Joe Dager's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Jonathan Payne
(Visit Jonathan's Website) Jonathan Payne has spent years studying and working with human behaviour and has facilitated numerous seminars in personal effectiveness. He is a management and executive coach, a professional speaker, a facilitator of workshops and seminars for businesses in effective performance, a personality profiling practitioner and a regular columnist in the local press. Jonathan holds memberships of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa, Coaches and Mentors of South Africa and the Association of Psychological Type International.You can contact him at jonathan@livingways.co.za or visit his website at www.livingways.co.za

Jonathan Payne is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Jonathan Payne's

Complete
List Of
Business-Coach
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Jonathan Payne's Complete List of Business-Coach Articles For FREE!

More Jonathan Payne
POSTIVE CONFLICT
WHY CHANGE DOESNT HAPPEN
THINKING ABOUT THINKING
DEFENDING YOUR TIME
Choosing Options
UNDERSTAND OTHERS BY UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF
THE VALUES OF SUCCESS
EXPLORING POTENTIAL
Goals the key to successful meetings
THE ART OF THINKING
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Jeff Foster  
George Ludwig  
Kim Castle  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Positive Thinking Icon Positive Thinking
The Leadership Edge Icon The Leadership Edge
Why Banks Say No eguide Icon Why Banks Say No eguide
Instant Press Release Icon Instant Press Release
Warning Signs Checklist Icon Warning Signs Checklist
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Fortune Hunters - CBC Entrepreneur TV
Fortune Hunters
CBC Entrepreneur TV
 
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Ishmeal Inkoom Elmina, Ghana,
Ishmeal Inkoom
Elmina, Ghana
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Kerry Shapansky, $2.0 to $51 Mil in 5 years
Kerry Shapansky
$2.0 to $51 Mil in 5 years
Julie Mitchell, $470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
Julie Mitchell
$470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
William Harley Arthur Davidson, Harley-Davidson
Sean Diddy Combs, Bad Boy
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Donald J. Trump, Trump University
Donald J. Trump
Trump University
John Jantsch, Duct Tape Marketing
John Jantsch
Duct Tape Marketing
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PLANNING
By Atul Uchil
     PROCESS MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
By Atul Uchil
     BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
By Atul Uchil

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information