Personal Growth
The Most Meaningful Task
I have a tendency to overshadow my most meaningful task. And there’s a good reason why I’ve been putting it off.
The most meaningful, important tasks come with great uncertainty. It feels dis-comforting. And I habitually respond to this uncertainty by avoiding it. Then I tend to do busywork, the urgent, but less important that makes me feel more certain.
The Most Meaningful Task
The most meaningful tasks are those tasks that are on your big goals. The ones that matter to you. Whether it be a vocation, relationship goals, health, or planning your life. Yet, we do not have certainty with the outcome. We begin the progress of a new business. Then be laden with anxiety because of uncertainty. Or it can be a 20-min workout, a deliberate practice of your craft. It may be planning for your financial future. It may be working so much and save what you can. Or gaining momentum of setting aside 1 hour a day for a side hustle. These are the things that you do on a regular basis, yet we don’t see the immediate benefits.
When I don’t get immediate gratification and facing resistance, I remind myself to,
“Don’t judge the day by the seeds you reap, but by the seeds you plot.” – The Wealthy Gardener.
What can I do now so my future self will thank me later?
As we see, there is no certainty of a reward, but we do it anyway. Our destiny is shaped by the courage we choose to do day by day.
Focus on the Present
When what you’re about to do is a micro-task of that very important bigger goal, ask yourself. After you do this seemingly insignificant small task, will you thank yourself later? I know I do. This works for me, all the time. When I am doing a 1 minute three sets of planking, it is super uncomfortable. Yet, after this practice, I thank myself. I felt so good for doing it. Every time.
Most people feel better after a workout. But we do justify reasons to avoid it, before doing it. Then be uncomfortable during a workout, yet feel so good and glad you did after that. Remember to ask, “Will you thank yourself afterward?”
Over the years, I used methods that helped me get back on my track. And I want to share them with you.
Methods to Get you started
Ability to Visualize
Many people have dreams. But the one who can form that dream, and have a clear and detailed visualization of the outcome is what separates him from other dreamers. You are more likely to take action when you have visualized the end result, the success, and the outcome.
Do The Most Important Task First
This may work if you are a morning person and you feel more energized in the early hours of the day. When you do the most important task first, you end up feeling good about the rest of the day. This is usually the least appetizing, most dreaded item on your todo list because it is uncomfortable and sometimes scary. As if a weight from your shoulder became lighter. And it may motivate you to tackle more tasks afterward. Super productive people don’t push off the most daunting task on their to-do list at the end of the day. If you are not a morning person, do the most important task when you have the most energy. If you procrastinate, it may never get done and you sleep with the task hanging over you.
Create an Impact Hour
Block out this important hour with planning, and producing high impact work. This high impact hour should give you 80 percent of the result. Or this hour can be a block of time to giving yourself a gift of generous focus. Whether this is connecting with top prospect clients, strategy planning, or skill-stretching. See Pareto Principle 1 to learn more about this.
The Power of Constraints
Setting limits to yourself often deliver better results than keeping your options open. Whether it involves the time you have to work out, the money to start a business, or sticking to a strict schedule. Why? Because it forces you to get something done. Without your schedule or budget, you would’ve pushed the task you wanted to get done on a different day. Set a schedule for your production. Don’t wait until you feel motivated.