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The Present

The Present

The Gift That Makes You Happy and Successful at Work and in Life
by Spencer Johnson 2003 112 pages
3.91
9k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. The Present is the most valuable gift you can receive

"The Present is the best gift you can receive because it makes you happy and successful!"

The Present is transformative. It's not a physical object, but a state of mind that allows you to fully engage with your current experiences. By embracing the Present, you can:

  • Achieve peace of mind and feel more alive
  • Become more productive and prosperous
  • Find what's truly important to you and those around you

The Present is a powerful tool that can be applied to both personal and professional life, leading to greater satisfaction and success in all areas.

2. Being in the Present means focusing on what's happening now

"When you are fully engaged in what you are doing your mind doesn't wander. You enjoy life. And you are happier and more effective."

Embrace the moment. Being in the Present involves:

  • Tuning out distractions
  • Paying attention to what's important right now
  • Appreciating what's positive about the current situation

By focusing on the Present, you become more aware of your surroundings and the opportunities they present. This heightened awareness allows you to:

  • Make better decisions
  • Respond more effectively to challenges
  • Fully experience and enjoy your life as it unfolds

3. Learn from the Past to improve the Present

"It is hard to let go of the Past if you have not learned from the Past."

Extract valuable lessons. To learn from the Past:

  1. Reflect on what happened
  2. Identify the lessons learned
  3. Apply those lessons to improve your Present

By examining past experiences objectively, you can:

  • Avoid repeating mistakes
  • Build on your successes
  • Make better choices in the Present

Remember, the goal is not to dwell on the Past, but to use it as a tool for personal growth and improvement in the Present.

4. Help create the Future by planning and taking action today

"The more clearly you imagine what you want to see happen, plan for it, and do something today to help it happen, the less anxious you are in the Present, and the more the Future is known to you."

Shape your destiny. To create a better Future:

  1. Envision what you want to achieve
  2. Develop a realistic plan
  3. Take action today to move towards your goals

By actively working towards your desired Future, you:

  • Reduce anxiety about the unknown
  • Gain a sense of control over your life
  • Increase your chances of achieving your goals

Remember that while you can't predict or control the Future entirely, your actions in the Present significantly influence what's to come.

5. Work and live with Purpose to give meaning to your actions

"When you live and work with Purpose, and respond to what is important today, you are more able to lead, manage, support, befriend, and love."

Find your driving force. Having a Purpose means:

  • Understanding not just what to do, but why you're doing it
  • Aligning your daily actions with your broader life goals
  • Responding to what's truly important each day

When you work and live with Purpose:

  • Your actions become more meaningful
  • You're better equipped to handle challenges
  • You can positively impact others around you

Purpose provides a framework for decision-making and helps you stay motivated, even in difficult times.

6. Success is becoming more of who you are capable of being

"Being more successful means becoming more of who you are capable of being."

Unlock your potential. Success is a personal journey that involves:

  • Defining what success means to you
  • Continuously growing and developing
  • Striving to reach your full potential

Success can take many forms, such as:

  • Achieving inner peace
  • Excelling in your career
  • Building strong relationships
  • Making a positive impact on others

Remember that success is not a fixed destination, but an ongoing process of personal growth and self-improvement.

7. The Present is always available to make you happier and more effective

"The Present would always be there for him. He could give himself the gift whenever he chose."

Access anytime. The Present is not a one-time gift, but a constantly available resource that you can tap into whenever you need it. To use the Present:

  1. Recognize when you're not in the Present (dwelling on the Past or worrying about the Future)
  2. Consciously shift your focus to the current moment
  3. Engage fully with what's happening right now

By regularly returning to the Present, you can:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Improve your performance in various tasks
  • Enhance your overall quality of life

Remember that it's normal to occasionally lose focus on the Present. The key is to recognize when this happens and choose to return to the Present moment.

Last updated:

Review Summary

3.91 out of 5
Average of 9k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

The Present by Spencer Johnson receives mixed reviews. Many praise its simple yet powerful message about living in the present, learning from the past, and planning for the future. Readers appreciate the short, story-based format and find the lessons applicable to daily life. However, some criticize the book for being overly simplistic, repetitive, and overpriced for its length. Despite the divided opinions, many readers find value in the book's core message about appreciating the present moment as a gift.

Your rating:

About the Author

Spencer Johnson, M.D. was a bestselling author who transitioned from a medical career to writing self-help books. His most famous work, "Who Moved My Cheese?", sold over 50 million copies worldwide and was translated into 47 languages. Johnson held a psychology degree from the University of Southern California and a medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons. He also completed medical clerkships at Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic. Johnson's books, known for their simple and accessible style, often used short stories to convey life lessons and workplace wisdom, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply.

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