Things like sticking to fitness routine, going for extra classes, help to do certain favours, going through mountains of paperwork, painting your room or doing the accounts. All important for making us healthier , more informed, more well-connected, more efficient and so on, but all the same, not very pleasant for some of us.
So what do most of us do when confronted by these tasks? Well, we either procrastinate or simply avoid doing them. Then what happens? Or what doesn't happen, I should say. Positive change cannot occur. Our goals remain in limbo.
But some of us, when faced with seemingly difficult or unpleasant tasks, grit out teeth, pull up our socks, roll up our sleeves and do them anyway. These are the ones who become successful. These are the people who get what they want.
So how can we make difficult task easier or at least less painful to do?
Here are some tricks you could try:
First, call up a friend before and after the task. This gives you added support and a sense of accountability to that friend to keep your word.
Next, plan a big reward after the task. Whether it's a weekend resort getaway, or having friends over for a big game night, this will give you something to look forward to while you are completing your task.
Next, delegate. Sometimes a project can seem particularly arduous because you have so many other things you have to do concurrently. It could be something as simple as picking up kids from school or it could be making blind calls to prospective clients just to see who might be interested in your service. Think about what you can possibly hand over to someone else; a colleague, a subordinate, a helpful family member perhaps. You could even pay someone to help you such as a freelancer to do the accounts during income tax season. Prioritise and see which tasks are essential for your success and which ones you could "farm out" to someone else. If not on a regular basis, then maybe just or the time being.
And finally, while working on the so-called "unpleasant" task, keep your eyes and eyes open. You can find something to enjoy in any job, if not entirely pleasurable, then at least entertaining or informative. Focus on what you can actually take away from the task, how it helps you become a better person and closer to your bigger goals, and the task won't seem so terrible. You might even change your opinion of it altogether and truly appreciate what it's doing for you! Hey, you know you have to do it, so why not make it as fun and rewarding as you can?
Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd
