Finding Happiness in the Now: What I Learnt after Meditating for 90 Days
Simple and easy one-pager on meditation.
A Shift from Skepticism to Practice
To be honest, I used to turn my nose up at meditation. I thought it was too soft, too abstract for the cut-throat pace of business. That all changed when I hit one of the biggest burnouts of my career.
In a desperate search for answers, I devoured books and articles on psychology, mental health, even religious and philosophical disciplines. Meditation eventually caught my eye—and changed everything.
The Roots of Our Troubles: Past, Present, Future
One-paer “Finding Happiness in the Now: What I Learnt after Meditating for 90 Days” breaks down how we get stuck in time:
| Timeframe | Characteristics | Common Pitfalls |
|---|---|---|
| Past | Unchangeable | Regret, self-accusation, grief, anger |
| Present | Real, sensible, influenceable | Clarity, calm, intentional action |
| Future | Unpredictable | Insecurity, anxiety, fear, overcaution |
When we overthink the future—without concrete planning or action—we essentially borrow trouble from tomorrow and spend our only real asset, the present moment.
How Meditation Helps
Rather than debate breathing techniques here, let me share the three core ways I’ve found meditation transformative:
- Sense NOW by anchoring your awareness by techniques such as focusing on breathe - each inhale and exhale.
- Review the Past from the detached viewpoint of an observer, reducing regret and self-blame by reframing and letting go.
- Train Present Awareness to recognize your real-time emotions, guiding you toward clear, purpose-driven decisions.
Building the Four Pillars of Meaningful Life Leads to True Happiness
Through consistent practice, I learnt that meditation strengthened these pillars of meaningful life:
- Identity (Belonging): Deepening my connection to team, purpose, and values
- Interpretation (Storytelling): Reframing past events into positive narratives
- Present Moment (Transcendence): Cultivating peace and focus amid chaos
- Purpose (Defining the Future): Crafting a vision rooted in serving others
They help me bring coherence to what I think, what I say, and what I do.
Lizi Chen
Emily Esfahani Smith
Conclusion: Invest in the Only Time You Truly Have
Turning meditation into a daily habit was the single most practical step I took to reclaim my energy, sharpen my focus, and lead with authenticity. In business as in life, the most powerful leverage point is always the present moment.
