How to Make Dreaded Tasks Joyful
I work from home, so I love “going into the office.” I grab my water bottle, computer and phone and make my way out to my usually sunny and warm backyard (as I live in L.A.). I get comfy and then I’m ready to take calls from my life coaching clients. I love the work I do and could coach clients for hours on end (all over the phone).
What I absolutely dread, however, is invoicing my clients. It takes so much time and effort for me. And, I have to think about numbers. This is definitely not my strong suit.
We all have parts of our business and work/life that we dread. What do you dread in your work/life? What would be possible for you in your work/life if you could shift the dread to joy? The four relatively easy steps below will help you do just that – turn your work/life dread into work/life joy.
1. List all the things in your work/life that you dread on a daily weekly or monthly basis on one side of a sheet of paper.
2. On the other side shift your perspective and find an aspect of that task that brings you some joy or lights up your heart – even just a tiny bit. Here’s an example:
Dread: I have to send out invoices to clients.
Joy: I get to remind people of the amazing value that I offer them. I get to collect money for work I am passionate about. I’ll receive money to help me better live my life.
3. When you engage in that task repeat the “Joy Perspective” to yourself over and over even if it doesn’t quite feel totally true for you yet. Over time it will feel more and more natural.
4. Post up sticky notes with your “Joy Perspectives” on them everywhere. Post them in your fridge, in your glove compartment, on your computer screen, on your bedpost – any place that you will see them. Remind yourself often of the joy that is yours to have!
Have a great month. I’m off to joyfully (and thankfully) go invoice my clients.
llustrations by Jordan Awan
Absolutely! Renaming what you are doing by focusing on the results is a great way to overcome resistance to doing “unpleasant” tasks. Your perspective makes a huge difference in everything you do. My current mantra is “Everything is turning out even better than I expected”. This statement is transforming me from a pessimist to an irrepressible optimist.
Daisy McCarty
San Diego Office Furniture