10 Simple, Practical Tips to Be More Present in Daily Life

Everyone is struggling to stay present in a fast-paced world. Between work, screens, and endless to-dos, it’s easy to miss the small moments that matter most.

Here are 10 ways to be more present in daily life, drawn from my own experience as a coach and parent:

1. Celebrate the Small Stuff

Tiny moments (like your child singing or a quiet cup of tea) often have a bigger impact on happiness than big wins. After all, If you can’t be happy with a cup of coffee, likely you won’t be happy with a Ferrari.

2. Practise Mindfulness Daily

Mindfulness doesn’t need to be complicated. A few minutes of journaling or a short walk can help you feel more grounded and focused. I try and think about why I’m grateful every night before I go to bed. I don’t often write it down, but going to bed in a positive state is massively underrated.

3. Listen Without Planning Your Response

True presence in conversations starts with curiosity, not interruption. Try listening just to understand, not to add your story. We learn this in coaching, but it’s everyday use is so important. If we listen to understand we can identify what’s not being said, and are more attuned to what else might be going on. It allows us to connect with others on a deeper level which is mutually beneficial.

4. Focus on What You Can Control

As Jim Rohn said, we can’t change the wind, but we can adjust the set of our sails. Presence comes from letting go of what’s out of your hands, and controlling that which you can.

5. Tune Into Your Body

Your energy, cravings, and moods are data. Pay attention to how different foods, habits, or routines make you feel.

6. Let Yourself Feel

All emotions are valid. Don’t force constant positivity. Just give yourself space to feel what you feel. If you want to get angry or sad, or excited, do it. Don’t stay there too long, but feel it!

7. Cut Out Key Distractions

Figure out what breaks your focus most and make small changes. No, you can’t sell your kids, so if it’s the holidays, set your expectations that you’ll be distracted more, or schedule work around their activities. A simple one for me is not opening email on my laptop and muting my phone. I might take time to come back on email and miss the odd call, but I’ve never regretted it yet.

8. Leave White Space

Don’t fill every gap in your day. You might think you’re being productive, but you’re not. Giving yourself time to pause helps prevent burnout and improves focus.

9. Reflect Often

Whether it’s a quick dinner-table check-in or a weekly review, reflection helps you stay aware of what’s working and what’s not. Each week ask yourself “what went well?, what didn’t? what have a I learned? and what will I do differently next week?”

10. Take Screen-Free Breaks

A short walk without your phone can reset your mindset more than any productivity hack. (away for a break now after writing this post!)

Final Thoughts

If you're trying to be more present in daily life, start small. You don’t need to change everything. Just shift how you show up to what’s already happening.

Which of these could you try this week?