We often hear about staying in the NOW, the ever changing present moment. To do this, let’s use our focus to zoom IN and OUT.
The micro, the granular, the mundane small baby steps, is ZOOMING IN. I use this when I feel overwhelmed, and ask ‘what small action can I do right now in this moment?’ There is a Native American story of a boy that rides a canoe too far off shore, and sees a storm coming. As the water gets rougher and more turbulent, he looks out and sees an endless view of huge waves stretching out before him, as far as the eye can see to the horizon. As he looses sight of land, he has a sinking feeling; he is going to die out here. But he changes his focus to one wave at a time, just more one wave. He tells himself ‘don’t go under, keep your balance just for this one wave, that is all that exists, one wave at a time.’ This went on over and over for some time, and eventually the storm subsided, guiding him back to dry land. Had he focused on all the waves at once, the strength would have drained from him, and he would have drowned. Zooming IN is all about asking ‘what small action can I execute RIGHT NOW?’
Zooming OUT, is the macro, seeing the forest for the trees. Ask, does this really matter in the long run? How will I remember this in 5 years? What is my WHY, my guiding north star? Detach, don’t get pulled into the emotion of the moment, the noise of your ego. I can remember playing the Sonor Drumfest a couple of years ago. As my band modus factor played, I looked over and saw one of my drumming heroes Steve Smith watching me a few feet away! This was a good time to stay in the present moment and zoom in and out. Zooming IN I focused on what Ian the bass player was creating in that moment, and myself playing a simple groove to support him. Zooming OUT, I focused on the overall energy in the room, the SERVICE of what drumming and music is about, and my WHY of doing this in the first place. This saved me from getting ripped out of the present moment, and getting pulled into thinking ‘I hope I play well, I need to show Steve what I can do, I better not mess this up, oh why did I just play that fill’ and other similar drowning thoughts. I was able to be at my best, and keep my focus where it was best to serve the music and the song. Use zooming IN and OUT in your own way to stay in the power of your NOW… this is what true focus is about!
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