Do you have goals? Even if you think you don’t, I am sure there are some things that you want to achieve. It could be as simple as decorating your home, raising your kids to be respectful, or even just about eating healthy. What one thing do all these goals have in common? They require WORK to get there!
Have you ever found yourself imaging your future, the home you’ll live in, the career you’ll have, standing at your kids’ weddings next to the bride or groom with pride all over your face? To imagine is completely normal, but the only way you will actually get there is by doing at least some work.
In order to stand next to your kids on their wedding day requires you having a good relationship with them (WORK), to have the career you want (EFFORT), to move homes (WORK, TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT). The thing that I have noticed in my 20 year career in sales is that unfortunately a lot of people want the reward without the effort. The problem with that is that our imaginations can create AMAZING realities, but when we are in our actual reality it looks bleak in comparison.
It is only my second day in my new career, and I can tell you that it has its challenges, the grass is not always going to be greener, but the one thing that I have going for me is that no matter what I am not afraid to put in the effort. Working hard is not the most important thing, working smart needs to be part of it as well. I have found myself having to think a lot more about structuring my day to include tasks I want to accomplish, the things I need to do, along with things that I know will distract me if I don’t schedule time for them.
We have so many distractions in our life that if we don’t schedule time for those distractions we will become swept away, and when the option of doing a harder task versus something that is more fun, we will always welcome the fun one if we haven’t planned ahead. For example, as I sit writing this blog I have probably had 20 emails, 3 texts, not to mention the phone call from one of my boys. Obviously some distractions can’t be avoided (I try to never miss a call from my kids, even though most of the time it’s about drama or something I wish I didn’t have to deal with), but the big question is…do we welcome those distractions. I will definitely admit that when I am doing mundane tasks I tend to become more easily distracted and tend to stay that way for longer.
So, now we know what we have to deal with on a daily basis..how do we handle it effectively? I have found that I allocate myself a certain amount of time on a task, and once that time is up I switch to another task. If I haven’t completed the first task I can always go back to it. This helps me with my focus, my boredom and most importantly I allow myself a little break (even if it’s just a bathroom break) so I don’t become burned out!
I don’t always do work outdoors like I am in this post, but there are definitely times when a little fresh air can be exactly what the doctor ordered – maybe you can give it a try (although it’s been pretty cold here in Utah, so I won’t be able to do it soon!)
Today is Wednesday – what have you accomplished this week already and what do you still want to achieve? Comment below…