TODAY IS THE DAY

What is the purpose of work or task accomplishment? I argue it is to further relationships with others and allow time for the gratifying memory-making moments of your life as well as to foster personal growth. Work in and of itself can be satisfying, especially when you become immersed in it and find flow. If you follow these 3 steps before a work session, you are bound to be successful.

(1) The Upgrade

The “Upgrade” is a way to re-imagine your work with more virtuous ideals or reframe something that you don’t want to do into a challenge that affords you a growth opportunity. It helps you see the meaning behind the work and the ultimate purpose of your effort. For example, folding laundry is not just a rote task. It is promoting order in my household which puts everyone at ease. It is allowing smooth transitions for my children when I clean and set out their outfits by ensuring they have a calm and enjoyable morning and a day at school in which they are comfortable and confident. This can be applied to any task we have, any work endeavor, anything that we are annoyed or scared to do or face during the day. If you take 1 minute to imagine how a task or project is bettering the lives of others (or even yourself by taking on the challenge) then you can find meaning and purpose in any activity.

(2) Strategy and Challenge

The “strategy and challenge” component of any work hour encompasses three major elements (1) Time deadline (2) Steps toward accomplishment (3) Growth goals

(1) Set an amount of time that forces you to push yourself. Having a set end time to work every day or simply allotting a certain amount of time to engage in a task can help you create positive pressure toward finishing a large amount of work in a relatively small amount of time.

(2) Write down or visualize in your head the tasks and the order in which you would like to complete the components of the project, so when you are in “flow” you can follow your outline without taking time to strategize.

(3) Find a way to grow yourself during the allotted time slot and while executing the project or task. For example, if you are writing a weekly newsletter, then you will focus on typing speed or accuracy and try to gain efficiency. If you are reading a non-fiction book, then you practice slowing down for comprehension and commit to recording a 5-minute explanation to someone else to test your understanding. If you are sitting at your computer planning to pay bills, then you practice self-regulation by ignoring all texts, alerts, and social media multitasking and grow in the strength of character. If you are seeing appointments at work, you will enter each interaction with another person with increasing patience and open acceptance to foster connection with others. As Dr. Kevin Majeres, owner of OptimalWork describes, your goal while executing a period of work is to increase your knowledge, skills, virtues, or bonds with others.

(3) Going Inward

Moments of mindfulness are crucial to focus. Close your eyes or gaze downward, take 3 deep breaths, and focus on the subtle buzzing of energy in your fingertips and body. Accept the noises around you and bring your focus back to your breath. Understand that any twinges of extra energy, accelerated heart rate, butterflies, subtle feelings that you interpret to be anxiety are just a rush of adrenaline telling you that you care about what you are about to do and your body is preparing to execute. Embrace these feelings. If you still feel unmotivated to crush your work hour, you either did not upgrade the task and reframe it with appropriate meaning or the challenge you set forth is not great enough. Please start again at Step 1.

Accomplishing work just for the sake of getting something done leads to a lack of purpose and meaning in life. We are here to grow, have new experiences, take on new challenges. You do not need a grand adventure to do this. You just need yourself and these three steps toward valuing the work you do as it helps you grow into the person you want to be.