Be a Nowist, Not a Futurist: The Case for Living and Leading in the Present
In business and in life, the obsession with the future is almost a default setting. I fall into this description, which is why I am aware and talking about it. We're constantly projecting, predicting, and planning for what's next—next quarter, next year, the five-year plan. Vision boards, market forecasts, goal charts—we're wired to believe that success lies in mastering the future. But what if the real power lies not in forecasting tomorrow but in mastering right now?
This is where the idea of being a Nowist comes in. I did not invent this term; it has been around for a while, and many of you may have already heard about living in the now through the work of Dr. Max McKeown, Stephen Bertman, or Eckhart Tolle. It is a common theme and one I have raised again from my own experience of the false belief that living in the future gets things done.
What Is a Nowist?
A Nowist is someone who focuses their energy, attention, and decision-making power on the present moment—not in a passive, "go with the flow" sense, but as a deliberate and grounded philosophy. Being a Nowist means asking: What can I do, change, improve, or experience right now that creates value?
This doesn't mean abandoning all planning or ignoring the future. It means you stop living in the future—and instead learn to trust the Present as the only time you actually control.
Why Being a Nowist Works in Business
1. Real-Time Adaptation Beats Overplanning
The most successful businesses today—think of startups, agile companies, and thriving creators—don't win because of perfect long-term plans. They win because they adapt fast, act on real-time feedback, and optimize in the moment. A 50-page business plan means little if the market shifts tomorrow. Nowists stay flexible and focused on what's needed today.
2. Decision Fatigue Is Reduced
Endless strategizing about the future leads to analysis paralysis. When you adopt a Nowist mindset, you make decisions based on what's relevant now, utilizing the data and tools available. You stop burning energy on "what ifs" and start using it for "what is."
3. Momentum Is Built Through Action
Thinking about the future doesn't move you forward. Acting in the Present does. The Nowist doesn't wait for ideal timing, perfect conditions, or complete clarity. They start, adjust, and keep moving.
Why Being a Nowist Works in Life
1. Presence Deepens Relationships
You can't connect with someone if you're mentally three months ahead of them. Being truly present creates trust, intimacy, and empathy. Nowists listen better, love deeper, and live more fully because they're actually there. I am learning this first hand and see how it is reflecting in much better relationships from work to home.
2. Joy Is Only Available in the Present
Stress comes from reliving the past or fearing the future. But joy? Fulfillment? Flow? Those only exist in the now. A Nowist doesn't postpone life waiting for some milestone. They find meaning in everyday moments and celebrate the progress they are making.
3. You Take Ownership of Your Time
Being a futurist can create a constant "someday" loop: Someday, I'll start my business. Someday, I'll take that trip. Someday, I'll make a change. A Nowist challenges that by asking: Why not now? Because now is all we ever really get. Yes. This is a cliché statement and we’ve all heard so many times we are numb to it—until something happens that wakes us up. This blog post is hoping to wake you up so you don’t have to go through the pain of not acting in the now based on a false belief that you will have more time in the future. As Father’s Day approaches this year I think of my own father who died in 2016. I miss his wisdom, his kindness, and his laughter. His last summer on this planet I kept pushing off visiting due to work, other plans, and the belief we would have more time. His body gave out to the multiple myeloma in the fall of 2016. It was a hard lesson in loss and not living in the present.
How to Be a Nowist (Without Being Reckless)
Check-in constantly: Ask yourself, What matters most right now? Not What do I wish was happening six months from now?
Act, then refine: Don't wait for the perfect solution. Launch the email. Make the call. Post the idea. Start small and learn fast. Visit those people that are your purpose in this life.
Let go of imaginary futures: Most of the things we worry about never happen. Stay rooted in facts, not forecasts.
Use goals as guides, not gods: It's okay to have a vision. Just don't serve it blindly. Let your present actions shape your path forward.
Final Thought: The Present Is Your Power
The truth is, the future is just a string of "now" moments we haven't arrived at yet. Being a Nowist doesn't mean abandoning strategy—it means building your life and your business on the one thing you truly own: this moment.
Master the now, and the future will take care of itself.
Ready to Put This Into Practice?
If you're serious about stepping into your power now, then the JASC workshop "Business Nowist" is the perfect fit for you. This isn't just a motivational talk—it's a practical and energizing experience that helps you turn Nowist principles into real-world success in both your business and personal life.
Whether you're a leader, a creator, or someone ready to stop waiting and start doing, JASC has a workshop that will help you make bold, grounded moves—today.
👉 Join the movement. Be a Nowist. Success doesn't wait—and neither should you.