If you’ve ever stood in the hall before a presentation, or sat on the edge of your chair in a difficult conversation, you know the feeling: a tightness in your chest, your mind racing, and a creeping sense that the moment will expose you.

What many people don’t realise is that the pressure isn’t coming from the room. It’s coming from inside their own head.

In your daily life, the concept of free will often seems straightforward. If you want something, you act on it and get it. You believe you make choices, deliberate on options, and act according to your own volition. However, this perception is much more complicated than it appears.

Let me explain. Two German philosophers—Friedrich Nietzsche, a profound critic of traditional notions of free will, and Arthur Schopenhauer—provide deep insights into understanding the nature of your will and the importance of mindfulness in shaping your behaviour to lead you to a more empowered and present attitude.