In Philippians 2:14, we read: "Do everything without grumbling or arguing" but how many of us can honestly admit to doing this? We're all guilty of putting off the tasks we dislike, whether it's because of their banality – like the dishes or vacuuming - or their difficulty – tax returns anyone? - or because they draw us out of our comfort zone – perhaps networking or public-speaking.
Whatever it is, the tasks we like the least often find their way to the bottom of our to-do lists. But regardless of how little we enjoy them, they're unavoidable. It's easy to find joy in the small things, a smile, an expression of gratitude and so on, but when it comes to the dull everyday tasks, our happiness seems to fade fast. So, how can we find the joy in doing the little things that we don't really like? Here are some simple ways that we can find the positivity in almost every task on our to-do lists.
Think about the bigger picture
Almost every task, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has an ability to impact a wider situation. Viewing each responsibility, not as an isolated activity, but through the prism of its place in the wider scheme of things can motivate you to approach it with less hostility.
Focus on how your actions will bring joy to others
Like most people, washing up the dishes after a meal isn't my favourite thing to do, but I know that a clear sink can bring my mum joy. Often, when we're required to do something that we dislike, the result will have an uplifting effect on another individual. Focussing on the way that our least favourite tasks can impact the moods of our most favourite people, is one way to rediscover the joy in such activities.
Cast your mind to how you'll feel once the task is completed
Even if it's simply relief that we don't have to do a particular chore for another week or another month, thinking about the way that we'll feel once the tedious or testing task is over will instil us with a greater urgency to finish it, and encourage us to adapt our emotional response to more accurately reflect the context.
Remember that how you react to something is a choice
Just because a particular task is difficult, it doesn't mean that you have to become difficult in your interactions with others. In these situations, we have a choice to remain joyful in spite of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. We can reclaim the power that a daunting task has over us by choosing which mentality we're going to approach it with.
