Being Present vs Mindfulness

Physically, you’re at work in a meeting. But mentally, you’re on next summer’s vacation you’ve been planning, on the water with a cold drink in hand. Ah, much better, right? Two phrases thrown around frequently in the Emotional Intelligence and Wellness industry are “mindfulness” and “being present”. While being “mentally elsewhere” is all too relatable, both mindfulness and the skill of being present have a strong foothold in our personal and professional development. And, both are a scaffold for which numerous other soft skills will inevitably improve! These two skills/phrases have become quite trendy, and often used interchangeably. But, while they are similar at face value, there are profound differences between being present, and being mindful.