Work is work. Some parts are good and some are not so much fun. Both parts are inherent in pretty much any pursuit. So what do you do about it when the not-so-fun parts slow you down to nearly a halt?
Why is the Job You Love Not So Fun?
You have this job to do, like it or not. It’s fun to write, but this topic bores you. You love this topic, but there’s better information that you need to find. You love this web design, but you need the layout changed, (something you can’t do easily).
Sometimes, as in the last example, it’s a matter of deciding if you need to learn or brush up on a new complimentary skill. If you find that you need the same skill repeatedly, training may be in your best business interest. And isn’t it fun to learn new things?
Other times, it’s just that the yucky part is something you’d really rather not do. Does that sound like attitude to you? It does to me.
If you accept a job and make it your responsibility, it’s not a good idea to give up on the assignment. After all, who want’s to be thought of as unreliable? That’s a reputation killer.
The Good News: You Get to Choose
Bring your best self to the table. If you’re not feeling the vibe of your assignment, it may be that you need to attend to your personal state.
Consider changing your mindset. What is it that you don’t like? It’s a topic that can benefit your employer, otherwise why would they have requested it? If you can’t—really can’t— get into the topic, get into the work.
Watch your mechanics of working. Get to the formulaic actions you take to bring together an article, post, proposal, newsletter, press release, or whatever else you’re into. Let yourself get caught up in the process, and revel in the activity.
Attend to the related events. Who are the people you have to interact with the make it come together? The people you interview, coordinate with, query for details, may have interesting happenings that they can share if you’re receptive to the tangential sharing. Consider it a break, and take it as part of the process–because it is.
Pick out the places for gratitude. Be grateful for the job, sure. And, beyond that, appreciate the highlights of the not-so-fun stuff. After all, you are able to get the work done. It could be that you were sick and couldn’t perform. Yes, you know what I’m saying: Remember that whatever hangs you up about a job, it probably could always be worse. And, if that’s all you can tug on to pull you to the joyous side of work, do it.
It boils down to doing the work because you chose to take it on. Take joy in the things that you love to do; and, even the experiences you don’t relish can bring something to your life—if you let it. If you’re open. If you take it in. You choose in any event. Why not choose joy?
Tell me what you do to get through the yucky parts. Or, do you always outsource that stuff?
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