You know, if I must admit, there are certain individuals with whom I am jealous. The ones I am referring to now are the ones that have this uncanny ability to have self-discipline with the mundane, with the day-in and day-out, with less than glamorous tasks.
And it’s a bit misleading to think that all such individuals are naturally gifted in this area. In fact, some just make the hard choice to persist.
This has and has not been me.
I have tended towards instant gratification, quitting when things get difficult, and lack of discipline. And there have been times where I was able to focus my attention and direct myself into completing things I would rather not.
What makes the difference for anyone?
There will be times of infatuation and absorption, and there will be times of loss of interest and low motivation.
How important is the task, and psychologically, is it a task or something else?
What is your relationship with tasks? Is the concept of a task something taxing that must be done, or is it an opportunity that you get to have? Surely that would make a difference in your willingness to continue, would it not?
Do you hold it as, “I’m having to do this” or “I’m getting to”? Would that not make a difference, despite whatever the task may be?
But I am not merely interested in discussing changes in thinking. What is more important in this exploration is what happens when the initial luster wears off. When excitement fades. When motivation to continue becomes next to non-existent.
I have worked with individuals who have claimed they cannot force themselves to do what they want, and in those same conversations tell me of times where they have forced themselves to do things they did not want. Think about it now. What’s the difference?
Have you ever forced yourself to do something? Now, here is something really rather interesting. Force implies that you are acting against yourself in some way, but often if you are willing to force yourself, then you are doing so in accord with your will and against it.
Part of you wants something, part of you does not like what it takes to get it.
I want to be a good writer, physically fit, and spiritually healthy. I do not want to revise or edit, trying to identify better ways to convey ideas (because that is really hard work). I look at dumbbells or a pullup bar…I do not want to go near them. I know certain steps to take towards developing a deeper spirituality…I would rather watch television or play a game.
We know what to do, will we put the effort towards obtaining the results of what we want?
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