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Being present at work

Being present at work

The Power of Presence: How Being Fully Present Can Boost Your Professional Impact

Let’s face it—between back-to-back meetings, Slack pings, text messages, inbox overload, and that ever-growing mental to-do list (don’t forget to order more dog food!)—it’s easy to lose touch with right now. But here’s the truth: your greatest superpower in any room, any pitch, or any pivotal decision? It’s presence.

Not performance.
Not perfection.
Not hustle.

Presence.

Being fully present in your conversations, leadership, and decision-making allows you to stand out—not by being louder, faster, or flashier—but by being fully here.

And in a professional world that often runs on speed and distraction, presence is a rare and magnetic quality.

Whether you’re running a board meeting, coaching a team, navigating a client conflict, or simply trying to make it through a Monday with grace—presence turns ordinary moments into points of genuine influence.

Why Presence Matters in a Professional Setting

Presence gives you permission to be the most: The most attentive. The most insightful. The most anchored in the moment.

In a sea of distraction, presence is the ultimate differentiator.

Clients. Colleagues. Stakeholders. Direct reports. All humans want to feel like they matter. When you show up fully, you send the message: I see you. I value this moment. I’m not rushing past it.

That matters.

Practicing Presence in Real-Time

So, how do you actually cultivate presence amidst the chaos of your career?

Here are two simple yet powerful ways to honor presence:

“One Window at a Time” Rule

Close the ten open browser tabs. (Yes, even that one with the proverbial rabbit hole you’ve been going down since 9 am.) Give your attention to one thing—one person—one task at a time. Your nervous system will thank you. So will your results.

Weekly Presence Check-In

At the end of each week, ask:

  • When did I feel truly present this week?
  • When did I feel most scattered—and why?
  • What would support me in being more fully present next week?

Presence doesn’t require a silent retreat or a dimly lit meditation room (though we love those, too). It’s available right now, in your real life, as it is.

For Your Consideration:

You already have what it takes to lead with presence. You don’t need to be more. You just need to be here—more often.

This week, pick one moment—just one—to drop into with full awareness. It could be a team meeting, a networking coffee, a call with a client, or even a solo brainstorming session with your journal. Turn down the noise. Turn up your awareness.

Then ask yourself:
What changes when I show up fully?

Chances are, everything.

Your impact doesn’t have to come from doing more.
It can come from being more—present.

Okay, your turn:

  • When was the last time you gave someone your full attention, uninterrupted—even for one minute?
  • Do you feel the need to multitask to prove your value? —Or, are you willing to slow down and trust the power of a focused mind?
  • Are you giving your work your best energy—or merely any leftover scraps after tending to everyone else’s needs first?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Sunny solstice vibes and strong resilience

As we bask in the afterglow of the summer solstice — the peak day of the year for abundant daylight — we enjoy the powerful light from the year’s high noon.

This time of year offers more than seasonal beauty — it offers a mirror. Take a moment to ask: Where am I standing in full light, and where might I be dimming my shine to survive the pace or politics of my profession?

Let’s shine that light on our career’s longevity. Shall we give it a wellness check? Career resilience isn’t about staying invincible — it’s about staying rooted. This is especially so in a changing world where industries shift, expectations escalate, and depletion threatens to set in.

This Solstice, let’s explore what it means to sustain both our ambition and our wellbeing.

At mid-career, it’s common to reach a quiet crossroads. You’ve built the skills. You’ve collected the titles. And yet… there’s a subtle tug, asking whether success as it’s been defined still fits who you’re becoming.

The Solstice offers a metaphor and a message: Things that have grown in shadow can now be seen. That may be in the form of patterns you’ve tolerated. Or, narratives you’ve accepted. Or, boundaries that have been bent or broken. All can come up for review.

Resilience doesn’t mean bouncing back to status quo. It means honoring your own evolution.

So instead of powering through, this season calls you to burrow inward — into clarity, into alignment, into a deeper level of self-respect.

Career Resilience, Redefined

Let’s retire the outdated model of career toughness that glorifies overworking and stoicism. True resilience today looks different:

  • It’s fluid, not rigid.
    (You adjust with grace, not grind.)
  • It’s values-led, not ego-driven.
    (You act from alignment, not from fear of falling behind.)
  • It’s sustainable, not sacrificial.
    (You protect your energy while you amplify your excellence.)

You get to honor your ambition and your boundaries. That’s not weak — that’s wisdom.

A Summer Solstice Self-Check

Here’s a quick check-in you can do in five minutes or less:

  1. Step outside into the light. Let the sun touch your skin, even if only for a few brief moments.
  2. Take three grounding breaths. Let each one drop you further into the present.
  3. Ask yourself: What’s one thing I need to say no to right now in order to say yes to myself?
  4. Write that one thing down. Declare it. Practice it.

Sometimes resilience is built in the smallest of refusals — refusing to self-abandon, refusing to over-commit, refusing to cower or shrink.

For Your Consideration:

You’ve already done the hard work of arriving where you are. The question now is how to remain there — and grow — without compromising your authenticity.

The Solstice doesn’t just celebrate the light outside — it honors the light within. Let that guide you forward, bravely, beautifully, and without undue sacrifice.

Okay, your turn:

What does resilience mean to you? Can you recall a moment in your life or career where you really dug down deep and anchored yourself in a way that helped you emerge even stronger than ever?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Top Mini-Habits for Staying Energized During Long Workdays

Maintaining your wellbeing on the daily

If you’re working through the beautiful complexity of a mid-career life — balancing leadership, impact, and your own wellbeing — you already know: Energy management is everything.

It’s not about pushing harder. It’s about staying connected to yourself in small but powerful ways throughout the day.

Here are mini-habits you can weave into even the busiest schedule to keep your energy steady, your mind clear, and your spirit strong:

1. Stop, breathe, and slow your roll (90-Second Reset)

Between meetings or tasks, take 90 seconds to take three slow, peaceful breaths.
Notice: How am I feeling? What do I need right now?

Why it matters:
You shift out of auto-pilot and back into conscious choice — where your real power lives.

2. Nourish Strategically

Think of your meals and snacks as energy investments, not merely fuel. It’s more than vaguely thinking “oh, I better eat healthy.”

Instead of skipping lunch or grabbing another coffee, build simple, nutrient-rich meals (hello, protein + fiber!) that actually stabilize your blood sugar and mood.

Mini habit:
Keep a stash of energizing snacks you love — think almonds, berries, hard-boiled eggs, or a clean protein bar — easily within reach.

3. Move in Microbursts

Instead of waiting for your post-work workout (which you may or may not have energy for!), sprinkle in active movement throughout your day.

Try this:

  • 1 minute of stretching between meetings
  • 10 squats while waiting for your tea to steep
  • A quick 3-minute walk outside to recharge your creativity

Movement signals to your body: “I’m alive, I’m safe, I’m thriving.”

4. Reclaim Your Transitions

Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, use transitions as sacred spaces. After a big meeting or a focused work sprint, take a mindful moment before jumping into the next thing.

Simple practices:

  • Step outside for a few minutes of fresh air, and:
    • look at something off in the distance
    • or, as the newest saying goes: “touch grass.”
  • Listen to one soul-nourishing song
  • Jot down one success or moment you’re proud of from the last task

These tiny rituals create energetic closure — and help ease any persistent “cognitive clutter.”

5. Close the Day with a Victory Lap

At the end of the day, spend just 2 minutes writing down three things you accomplished — big or small.
Not everything will get done. But progress deserves to be celebrated, always.

Bonus:
This practice also primes your mind for rest and recovery overnight, so you wake up more refreshed.

For your consideration:

Work days turn into work weeks and before you know it, entire months have flown by, with barely a moment taken to reflect and to act with intention.

You don’t have to live that way. You don’t have to be on auto-pilot. Remember, you are a human, not a machine. Stay connected to your desires. Stay connected to you.

Okay, your turn:

Do you approach your daily work activities with intention? Are you aware of your energy levels throughout the day? Do you take control of your schedule, or do you let others run roughshod over your commitments and time?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Valuing Your Independence: A Journey to Self-Empowerment

Independence is a powerful concept, evoking images of freedom, self-reliance, and the ability to shape your destiny. Whether it is achieving financial independence, emotional autonomy, or breaking free from limiting beliefs, claiming your independence is a transformative journey.

Here is a guide to embarking on this empowering path:

1. Understand What Independence Means to You

Independence is subjective. For some, it might be about living alone and managing their finances. For others, it could involve making decisions without relying on others’ opinions or external approval. Reflect on what independence means to you personally. Define it clearly for you and your journey.

2. Assess Your Current Situation

Take an honest look at your current state. What areas of your life do you feel dependent on others or external factors? This could be financial dependence, emotional reliance, or even dependence on certain habits and routines. Identifying these areas is the first step toward addressing them.

3. Set Clear Goals

Once you have a clear understanding of what independence means to you and where you currently stand, set specific, achievable goals. These goals should be aligned with your vision of independence. For example, if financial independence is your aim, a goal could be to save a certain amount of money or reduce debt by a specific percentage, and by a certain date.

4. Educate Yourself and Always Be Learning

Knowledge is a powerful tool in claiming your independence. If your goal is financial independence, educate yourself on personal finance, investment strategies, and budgeting. If emotional independence is your focus, learn about self-care practices, emotional intelligence, and coping mechanisms. The more informed you are, the better equipped you will be to make decisions that support your independence.

5. Take Responsibility for Your Choices

Independence means owning your decisions, both the good and the bad. This involves:

  • Making informed choices
  • Accepting the consequences of your actions
  • Learning from your mistakes

6.  Develop a Support System

While independence implies self-reliance, having a support system is also helpful. Surround yourself with people who encourage and support your journey. This could be friends, family members, mentors or advisors, or even online communities. They can provide guidance, encouragement, and a safety net as you navigate your path to independence.

7. Take Concerted Action

Knowledge and planning are essential, but action is where the transformation happens. Start taking steps toward your goals, no matter how small they may seem. Each step forward is a move toward greater independence.

8. Build Resilience

The road to independence is rarely smooth. There will be challenges and obstacles along the way.

You may face:

  • Fear of failure
  • Uncertainty about the future
  • Pressure from others to conform

Remember, these challenges are normal and can be overcome with persistence and self-belief.

Building resilience is key to overcoming these hurdles. Cultivate a positive mindset, practice self-compassion, and develop problem-solving skills. Resilience will help you stay committed to your path, particularly when things get tough.

9. Reevaluate and Adjust

Your goals and circumstances may change over time, and that is okay. Regularly reevaluate your progress and adjust your plans as needed. Independence is not a static state but a dynamic process. Being flexible and adaptable will help you stay aligned with your evolving vision of independence.

Celebrate!

Finally, take the time to celebrate your achievements. Acknowledge the effort, dedication, and growth that have brought you to this point. Celebrating your independence reinforces the positive changes you have already made and motivates you to continue your growth.

For your consideration:

Take a moment to reflect on your own journey. What steps can you take today to claim your independence and live life on your terms? The path may not always be easy, but the rewards of personal freedom and self-realization are immeasurable. Here’s to your independence!

Okay, your turn:

Where in your life do you feel your independence has served you well, and in what ways have you made the most of it? Does your independence ever get in the way of what you would like to bring into your life? If so, what steps have you taken to move past the roadblocks?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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