Being in the Zone: The New Energy of Presence in Communication

Being in the moment, razor-sharp, unfettered by distractions, wholly alive to everything around you; we've all experienced this.

A sports star calls it being in the zone, a jazz musician feels it while riffing an improvisation, a mother in the throes of childbirth recognizes it. This state of hyper-presence, what I call "actual reality," is akin to the psychological concept of flow.

Flow isn't just an abstract state of mind...

It's a profound condition of being that underlies peak performance in various fields, from athletics to arts to business. In the organizational context, flow is vital for effective communication. Flow, or being fully present, involves focusing on the present moment, engaged and attuned to the immediate context, undistracted by the past or future.

Consider the exhilaration of a skydive. The adrenalin-fuelled moment of stepping out into the thin air, the all-encompassing rush of freefall, where worries and distractions evaporate, replaced by sheer presence – being in that moment. It is impossible to not be present in a situation such as this. While we often associate such profound presence with extreme circumstances, the reality is that we can harness this state in any moment, given the right awareness and tools.

Ever caught yourself steamrolling a meeting or freezing during a presentation? I've been there. Being fully present can prevent missteps and facilitate effective communication in such scenarios. You are at your best when you are in the flow, entirely focused and engaged. It sounds simple, yet it's elusive in our fast-paced world.

In this constantly changing world, staying present is like watching a movie...

Like a frame in a film, each moment whirls by, blurring into a continuous scene of action. We are tempted to freeze a frame, label it as reality, when the truth is, reality is a ceaselessly changing panorama. We need to evolve continuously to stay present with this unfolding actuality.

Today's business world presents unique challenges to staying present. The advent of robust technology and the leaner, flatter organisational structures mean we juggle more tasks and responsibilities. Our energy dissipates, scattered among numerous activities, none of which receive our full attention. Consequently, the underlying problem of how fear influences our presence becomes accentuated.

Fear can be a formidable barrier to presence...

Fear of failure, falling behind, not being good enough, or others' opinions—such anxieties can create a mental fog that hampers our ability to stay present. As an experienced public speaker and executive speaker coach, I recently experienced such an episode. The critical point here is not the fear itself, but the thoughts that fear invokes that deter presence.

The fight or flight response, a primal instinct, is how we react to fear. When faced with a threat, adrenaline surges, preparing us to either fight or flee. While this response is crucial in the face of physical danger, the modern world's stressors often elicit the same response, undermining our ability to stay present.

Another common reaction to fear is the activation of the inner critic...

This voice inside our heads incessantly evaluates our behavior. More often than not, the inner critic cripples rather than aids us, preventing us from taking risks due to fear of failure. Overcoming this internal voice is a crucial step toward staying present.

Mastering the art of being present requires continuous effort. It involves honing the ability to notice your breath, to see the situation as it is, and to let go of judgement and labelling of sensations. This involves a focus on the physical, a shift in perspective, and acceptance of thoughts and feelings.

Being present is a transformative state that energizes and clarifies...

This new energy derived from being fully present is not merely an amplified state of attention but a dynamic state of flow. In public speaking, this energy inspires and motivates, communicating beyond words. It connects, influences, and drives change.

In essence, being present isn't just about existing in the moment; it's about catalysing a state of flow that energizes and transforms, turning ordinary into extraordinary. Research, including studies by McKinsey & Company, corroborates this. They found a direct correlation between high levels of employee engagement, well-being (indicative of being in the flow), and superior business performance.

Embrace the state of being present, and witness the transformation in yourself and your world. This is the power of actual reality, a new energy, a heightened state of flow that infuses life into everything it touches, from communication to performance. Let this energy fuel your journey to extraordinary.

Being present, staying in the zone, embracing the actual reality is not an aspiration—it's a transformation that unfolds every moment.

It is a presence unique to you - your superpower—unleash it.