Hi friends,
As we move into the final quarter of the year, our focus turns to the theme of Presence.
This is the season that tests our ability to stay grounded—when connection and celebration meet pressure and performance.
Presence is the secret weapon few truly master: the skill that lets you enjoy the moments that matter while still finishing the year strong.
::Your Five Minutes Start Now::
Part I: What Is Presence?
Presence is the foundation of the work we do at PurposeBuilt.
It is both the modus operandi and the ultimate goal.
It is the HOW and the WHY.
I hope you noodle on that one for a moment. 😉
We define Presence as the skill of being fully engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without distraction.
It is the ability to respond intentionally rather than reactively—to participate actively in each moment of your life.
Not to be confused with Executive Presence, it’s not about commanding a room or projecting confidence.
True presence is about deep, mindful awareness of the moment from which you can then create meaning and momentum.
(Pro tip: Executive Presence comes with true Presence, but not the other way around.)
Part II: Why Is Presence Important?
Attention is our greatest asset in a world full of distractions.
It shapes our experience and determines where we direct our energy and focus.
When we’re present, we’re open, less reactive, and more attuned to the needs of others.
In business, this sets true leaders apart.
It helps you notice subtle signs of a shifting market or a struggling team member.
Presence gives you the power to pause and evaluate strategies that others would simply overlook.
Part III: Presence Is Practical
I had a client last year who spent most of his life diagnosed with ADHD.
For years, trouble paying attention and hyper-fixation on certain tasks created chaos within his business.
We worked on two things:
Introducing the idea that attention can be cultivated—it’s not something your brain either has or doesn’t.
Identifying root-cause environmental stressors that created the coping strategy of ADHD.
Yes, we chose to question the status quo of a determined diagnosis.
We explored root causes, including an authoritative parenting structure that led to a lack of safety in the home.
The aha moment came when he realized that having a wide gaze across his environment—a lack of narrow “focus”—was a saving grace as a child.
It kept him safe then, but his environment had changed.
We dug into the nuances of where, when, and how he best pays attention.
He learned where the wide-attention span serves him, and where he can adjust his strategy.
When we got specific, we found that his attention to what truly matters—taking care of his daughter, for example—is excellent.
Yet when there is conflict in the business, his attention scatters and hyper-fixation on unrelated tasks kicks in.
Seeing these environmental differences gave his experience new meaning.
This allowed us to rewrite narratives rooted in guilt and shame—and created a level of power and participation in his day-to-day life.
Part IV: A Simple Practice—Do Your Dishes
You don’t have to become a Buddhist monk for this concept to be immediately useful.
Start small: do the dishes with full focus.
Don’t problem-solve or project into the past or future—stay present with the experience.
You’ll get distracted. That’s natural.
The key is simply to notice the distraction and bring your attention back.
Notice how many things take you out of presence in every moment—you’ll learn a thing or two about what’s going on in that mind of yours. 😉
Part V: Up Next
As we dive deeper into Presence this quarter, we’ll explore what it really means to stay aware and awake in motion.
Coming up in the Q4 series:
Awareness – the foundation of conscious attention
Judgment vs. Curiosity – how perception shapes connection
Attachment – releasing control to regain clarity
The Default Mode Network – what neuroscience teaches us about Presence
Reflection – turning awareness into growth
Thank you for being on this wild evolutionary ride with me.
See you in two weeks. ❤️