1.) Present-moment living is not Present Hednoism.
So let's start with the don'ts. If you think living in the present means trying to squeeze out happiness every moment in your life - then you're doing it wrong. Remember, happiness among other things cannot be pursued. Or at least, the more you pursue it, the less you find it. So don't try to 'enjoy' the moment. Just live it.
2.) Living in the present means adapting to the present.
The only constant in this Universe is change. In a socio-economic perspective that means growth. And you need to let that happen. If you try to stand still, if you try to achieve "stillness", you'll only achieve stagnation. Be aware of the ever changing environment around you. Adapt to it. Flow with it.
3.) Open up your senses.
Human beings are social animals to the extent that if you put someone in solitude, after awhile they'll go crazy just by thinking too much. From an evolutionary perspective we were trained to simulate fear and anxiety in our minds so we wouldn't be eaten by a predator. This same fear and anxiety kicks in whenever our mind thinks rather than acts. There has to be a delicate balance between the two to counteract this evolutionary trait.
And the only way to do that when someone is not around is to open your sense to the world. Listen to the sounds, smell the subtle aromas around you, touch different things to see how they feel, and look at the vividness of different colors. Be doing so, you'll act. And stop the unnecessary thinking that leads to anxiety.
4.) Don't be afraid to project in to the future
Our brains are inherently plastic. And with a little effort we can change anything. So if you want to develop a certain skill, practice, practice and practice. Make sure you imbed those motor skills deep into those muscles. But there is one more thing that you can do. And that is to see yourself in the future doing this - and this is very important - envision yourself succeeding, and feel good about it. This creates a motivation or driving force to actually do it and seek that moment of 'feeling good'.
Why am I writing this in a post about living in the present moment? Well contratry to popular belief, present-moment living also means planning for the future - when the moment of planning arises.
5.) Show yourself some compassion.
If you made a mistake, admit it. Laugh at yourself, and move on. Don't punish yourself and think about what may have happened if you've done things differently. Accept that you are also human, apologize to people sincerly, and take measures not make the same mistake. But more importantly show yourself some compassion. Self-compassion is sometimes the most difficult form of compassion, because we see it as a hindrance to growth. But that is not the case, growth and compassion are mutually exclusive - and you as an intelligent being can achieve both.
