Today's Challenge, getting the most out of negative things...

 

Today's challenge: Getting the most out of the things you hate to do, but have too do. 

The short answer is: Start Small. by that I mean find something that you only have a minor dislike to doing and then line that up with things you like to do in a list. Don't make the list too long, make sure it's manageable. Then begin going down the list accomplishing whatever the tasks are, but start with the task you dislike to do, and as you move on to the next task see it as a bit of a reward.

I eat my dinner's this way, if there is something on my plate that I'm not thrilled about that is the very thing I start with. This little routine has an automatic built in reward system because you have inherently something to look forward to. Do this enough times and it will become a routine. You may even find yourself looking for the classic "negative task" to put at the beginning of lists just so you can get it done and get your own little award. It sounds simplistic and kind of crazy but this kind of subtle behaviour change really does have a payoff. In short you get the crap out of the way 👍. And of course over time you can build upon the idea to get harder and harder feats accomplished. That's one thing I like about the human brain, there's part of it that is a reward junkie and it doesn't care how it gets it. It doesn't rationalize it just reacts and you can use that little human quirk to your advantage.

If there is a task that is just too negative or too overwhelming take a small, part of it something that you can manage and put it in the list. Regardless of what it is or how small it is when you successfully complete the portion of the task that you'd set out to,do, give yourself a pat on the back.

The other thing I am learning at 63 years old is don't burn yourself out. When you find your physical or mental limit, acknowledge it and take a break and by break.  I don't mean five minutes I mean something substantial. For example I normally work until 4:30 or 5 PM. Well, by 3 o'clock today I was getting pretty low on the battery level and by 4 o'clock I was done. A few years ago I would've pushed on through, but today I thought "No". I touch base with my boss and they said "No problem, we will see you in the morning." Just hearing that was an instantaneous relief. Then I realize that part of my exhaustion was me not giving myself permission. When my boss uttered those words I physiologically got the hint and relaxed. The next time I feel tired, I will speak up. There is no point in going beyond the limit when there is nothing to be gained by it. My work can be fairly technical and it really only does work out when my brain is fully alive.

So realize where you're pushing yourself too hard and give yourself that break. This is the only life you have as far as we know. Regardless of your beliefs the only thing you know for sure is, we only have the "now" to work with. Maybe there is an afterlife but that's down the road.

This by the way has nothing to do with pushing your own boundaries, enlarging your world, that is something you should always endeavour to do. Challenge and a little bit of difficulty in life is critical    when carried on in a balanced way. The key word here is balanced.

I will write more tomorrow at some point, and I plan to write much longer in-depth articles on the weekends as time permits. (See I'm listening to my own article by not overextending my brain.)

Stay tuned for more tomorrow. At this point I have no idea what I'm going to write. So both you and I will find out essentially at the same time.

Take care Patrick