turning work into play
Imagination is the one tool that most fail to utilize.
The most important tool in life is imagination, it gets us from point A to B and directs our current actions as we work from the imagination.
Most only imagine what they think they can do rather than imagining the infinite realities our mind can conjure, imagining new things allows us to become open to alternate ideas to bring that to reality. Down to a fundamental, a different input is needed for a different output.
And then the next problem is, actually placing the inputs in for a different output, putting in the work we don’t want to do, getting out of bed on time, launching that lousy drop-shipping website, cold-calling businesses, networking as an introvert, yawning in front of the computer screen on a late night.
Seeing the work that needs to be put in can be a bit too much when at the starting line.
But, the main key thing is to understand how working on projects we care about, is a lot more rewarding than remaining within the familiarity of the comfort zone.
Let me give a personal example: I have a bad habit of not cleaning my room, and this is during times when I’m putting off the things I know I should be doing.
It becomes a depressing downward spiral where I gain a few unwanted pounds, my diet is completely off the rail, my dog hates me, I’m three cigarettes away from going to the hospital and the devil stops visiting me in my dreams since I’m no longer a threat while I rot in bed under his demise.
The energy built up inside isn’t going anywhere, so that energy goes toward feeling anxiety and worry which leads me to find any source of comfort I can grab at.
Yet, on the flip side, when momentum is achieved, life feels more meaningful again.
Having a mission and something to work towards is better than scouring the streets looking for the cheapest bar selling alcohol that fits the budget to drink away that worry and anxiety.
When we’re pulled into fulfilling an objective, the little issues that spring up on a daily basis seem to dissipate, as it’s no longer considered a problem since our energy is focused on something much bigger.
Naturally, we all have energy stored inside us, and if that energy isn’t going to something that builds us, that energy turns into entropy, a gradual decline into disorder.
Which I’m not saying I’m not guilty of. I wrote this because I’ve noticed this association between ‘work and happiness’ versus ‘procrastination and anxiety’ from personal experience.
What helps is saying to yourself:
“I can put up with the ‘pain’ of doing the extra work to bring about a new reality, or stay in my comfort zone and put up with the ‘pain’ of staying where I am”.
“But it doesn’t have to be painful, I can enjoy the work".
Like a blog, it becomes a collection of words to self-express, using creativity to build a website like it’s a canvas, tactfully finding marketing tactics to bring in more sales like a video game.
Which is a common pattern amongst all businesses and anything that requires an ounce of creativity.
You can also convince yourself of this:
“I might not enjoy it now. But soon enough, it will become an addiction, progress will be my source of comfort.”
As someone begins hitting the gym for the first time, they’re met with uncertainty, maybe a fear of judgement from others who’ve been there for a long time with more experience, strength and size. Committing to it long enough, however, personal gains are achieved, the weights get heavier, muscle tone increases, and they eventually care less about what other people think of them and focus on what they prioritize most—growth.
The brain begins to associate “pain” with pleasure, instead of mindlessly indulging in pleasure which brings about pain. From constant repetition, the willpower of discipline increases.
Work from the imagination, not to it.
You thereby start living in the end result.