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Writer's pictureKaran Scott

The Secret



The only way to get something done is to do it. You can stare out of the window, sighing with dismay about how the grass needs cutting, or the car needs washing, but staring and sighing is not going to get either job done. The grass must meet the mower and the car some soapy water, it's as simple as that


You certainly do have choices; you can do it yourself, bribe the kids, or pay for professional services, but your intent, action and input is required whichever path you choose. Wishing, as a standalone passive activity, has never once made anything happen.


The secret is to start, but even if that seems too painful to even consider, there is a way of sneaking up on yourself to get things done. If you have a mammoth task, that's likely to take many hours to complete, tell yourself you will make a start and work only for 30 minutes. More often than not, once you've actually started and got into the zone, you will be happy to continue working for longer than 30 minutes. Then “limit” yourself to another 30 minutes, and then another; working in smaller but incremental time segments. It still gets the job done – and who cares how you did it, just as long as you did?


SLOW PROGRESS IS STILL PROGRESS!

So many people I mentor bemoan slow going progress, little realising that slow progress is still progress! Little by little a little becomes a lot. Results may not be immediately apparent, but this is where you must be realistic if you wish to succeed. Excellence takes time. You can have Unlucky Fried Donkey-Nostril Nuggets as you drive past a window, or you can savour Beef Wellington by affording the preparation process a little more time, respect and patience.


You really do get out what you put in. You cannot make a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant. Excellence cannot be manifested by the click of your fingers, a swish of a wand or a wiggle of your nose - despite what the fairy tales would have us believe as children. Oh, how I wish it could be so sometimes, but the lessons, strength and satisfactions in life are derived from the struggle and toil. We like to look back at our accomplishments and think “I did that”. This is one of the hundred reasons I watch my children sleep every night. That and my attempt to bank the memory of them being quiet of course, but I digres


To stare and think on a task that you'd really rather not have to do is wasting time and energy. Turn it on its head, take control, it's all in your attitude. Find a way to make it fun, more enjoyable, or at least more bearable. Listen to (loud) music, promise yourself a small reward during your tea breaks and/or once the task is complete, tell yourself it's not so bad and think of all the calories you're burning whilst the pet emu's enclosure gets cleaned - you get the gist


We all have tasks and chores we'd rather not do, but we have to do them anyway and moaning about it doesn't achieve anything. Who in the world looks forward to completing a VAT return (accountants please shush whilst I make this point), but the penalties are vast if we do not. In instances like these, we are compelled to do the thing, but we can control how much fun we create for ourselves whilst we're doing it!


Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. A positive mental attitude will always annihilate drudgery; it empowers you, keeps you in control and generally makes life a bit better. You have a choice. You always have a choice.

 



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