The Best Present is Your Full Presence
Want to give a meaningful gift that costs no money?
If your world is anything like mine, it's nonstop notifications, back-to-back Zooms, and to-do lists that never end. I've found the most underrated superpower you have isn’t your productivity, your hustle, or even your wisdom.
It’s your presence.
Yep. The best present you can give someone is your full presence.
Not part of you. Not you glancing at your phone while nodding politely. Not you listening with one ear while mentally rehearsing your next response. Full, undivided, heart-and-eyes-and-soul presence.
It sounds so simple… and it is. But it’s not always easy.
Because presence takes intention. It means silencing the noise, closing the mental browser tabs, and choosing to show up right here, right now—even if it’s only for a few minutes.
But wow, does it make a difference.
When you give someone your full attention, it communicates one powerful message: “You matter.”
And these days, when most of us feel stretched thin, burned out, and barely seen—that is a message people are desperate to hear.
Whether you're leading a team, coaching a client, talking with your partner, or playing with your kids, full presence turns ordinary moments into meaningful ones.
Here’s what I’ve found:
Presence reduces burnout. When we slow down and tune in, we stop spinning in the chaos.
Presence builds trust. People open up when they feel safe and seen.
Presence boosts happiness. (Yep, even yours.) It reconnects us with purpose, people, and peace.
Presence makes you a better leader, seller, speaker, and human being. Period.
And the best part?
It doesn’t cost a thing.
You don’t need to buy it, wrap it, or deliver it overnight. You just need to be where your feet are. Eyes up. Heart open. Attention engaged.
Here’s a simple challenge for the week ahead:
At your next meeting, put your phone face down and listen all the way through.
During your next conversation with a loved one, ask one deep question—and really listen to the answer.
Give someone 5-10 minutes of you, completely undistracted. Watch what happens.
You’ll be surprised how rare it is. And how impactful.
Because the best present you can give someone isn’t found on a shelf. It’s found in your presence.