What Playing With LEGO Taught One High Achiever

Elite performance is rooted in deep presence. But for busy-minded achievers, this can sound almost ridiculous.

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“The greatest gift you can give someone is your full attention.”

– Jim Rohn

I am very grateful for the work that I do – partnering with people who are keen to stretch their boundaries, explore their potential, and strive for the impossible.

I’m often told that one of the more surprising elements of my work is the emphasis I place on the skill of being present—which really is about detaching from the magnetic clutches of your inner voice.

When you are more present, you develop presence. And presence is unique in that it holds incredible value in both your work and your personal life.

You think better. You focus better. You are better.

And you enjoy the richness of your life more fully.

Elite performance is rooted in deep presence. But for busy-minded achievers, this can sound almost ridiculous.

Years ago, one such high-achieving client kept brushing off my advice about the importance of mental clarity and being present in the moment. Then one day, he asked if we could discuss it.

“Why now?” I asked.

“Because something happened last weekend that changed my perspective,” he said.

He told me he had just finished a hectic week and that Saturday morning, he was in the kitchen enjoying a coffee and catching up on some work-related reading.

His six-year-old son came in and asked if he would play LEGO with him. He agreed, and they moved to the adjoining room to start building something imaginative together.

But a few minutes in, his mind drifted back to work. He began absentmindedly placing LEGO bricks without any real attention or engagement.

After about 10 minutes, his son suddenly stopped, stood up, and looked him straight in the eye:

“Daddy! You’re never here!”

And then he stormed out of the room.

My client was clearly emotional telling me this story, even several days later.

“That broke my heart,” he said. “Not just because of that moment, but because I realised I was doing that everywhere in my life.”

Presence, is your ability to really be here – in this moment.

The best of you emerges when you are calm, clear and centred.

But it’s not just a performance tool. It’s very much a human one.

This week, a reflection:

Where are you physically present—but mentally absent?

And what might shift if you chose to truly show up?

Not thinking, not listening to your inner voice.

Just here.

Best,

Shane

PS – I’ll be sharing something new this week that has the potential to help people radically improve their ability to be present. You may be able to help shape it.


The Inner Edge Podcast – Most Recent Episode:

Ep 231: The Future Is Built from The Present: A Better Way to Plan

Listen on my website here or on all major podcasting platforms.

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