Inner Excellence: #2 The Present Moment

Living in the Now

Jim Murphy dives into one of the most powerful and challenging concepts in high performance and personal growth: the present moment. Titled “The Power of Now,” this chapter explores how true freedom, peace, and performance only happen when we fully engage with what’s happening right now—not in the past, not in the future.

Presence Over Pressure

Murphy explains that the present moment is where life happens—and yet, most of us miss it. We get lost in anxiety about the future, or we replay mistakes from the past. This mental drift robs us of clarity and weakens our performance. The key to Inner Excellence, he says, is learning to quiet the noise and fully inhabit the now.

The Distraction of the Mind

Our minds constantly try to pull us away from the moment with stories, doubts, and worries. Murphy refers to this as the ego mind, which thrives on fear and control. He teaches that by becoming aware of this mental chatter and letting it go, we return to a space of focus, flow, and freedom.

Performance Happens in the Present

Whether you’re taking a game-winning shot, giving a presentation, or having a meaningful conversation, peak performance only happens in the present moment. Murphy emphasizes that all fear and regret live outside of now. The more we train ourselves to stay here, the more we unlock our potential.

Tools for Presence

The chapter offers practical tools for becoming more present—like breath awareness, body scanning, and observing your thoughts without judgment. These practices help develop what Murphy calls stillness of mind, which is essential for emotional resilience and consistent performance.

A Foundation for Inner Excellence

This reinforces that presence is the foundation of Inner Excellence. It’s the gateway to peace, trust, and personal power. By showing up fully in each moment, we begin to dissolve fear, reduce stress, and operate with greater clarity and intention.

Final Thoughts

This is a reminder that life isn’t happening “out there” or “later.” It’s happening now. Learning to live and perform in the present is not just a mental exercise—it’s a way of being that unlocks deep joy and fulfillment.

If you find yourself distracted, anxious, or restless, this chapter offers a powerful reminder: the moment you’re in is enough. The present is where excellence begins.