When you get in the habit of loving whatever you’re doing, you can always be doing what you love. And when you’re doing what you love, you know you’ll be extremely effective at it. So how do you get yourself to love what you do in every moment, even if it’s something that you assume to be unpleasant?
1. Remind yourself what a joy and privilege it is to be living this magnificent, one-of-a-kind moment. The fact that you’re here to see the beauty and experience the possibilities is much more significant, in terms of the big picture, than whatever you happen to be doing. As such, whatever you’re doing becomes a component of an overall, overwhelmingly positive experience.
2. Remember why. Some way and somehow, you’ve chosen to be doing what you’re doing. That is, based on your priorities and goals and dreams, you have set yourself on a path that has led you directly to this moment. There’s a reason why you’re doing whatever you’re doing, and behind that reason is another reason. Follow the track of reasons back to the point where you can identify an intentional decision you made. Whatever you are doing, even if the task itself is unpleasant, is a part of something you have intentionally chosen. When you love that intention and all its resulting consequences, you can truly love what you’re doing.
3. Think of what a difference you’re making. Whatever you’re doing is making a difference in the world and in people’s lives. Think about that. You are having an influence. What you do truly matters. You are able to create value that never existed before. Maybe it’s tedious or messy or complicated or frustrating. Even so, it’s making a difference, and that is something in which you can find real satisfaction.
4. Relish the experience. At the very least, you’ll probably have a good story to tell. If what you’re doing requires a lot of mental focus, use the experience to take your thinking and concentration skills to a higher level, for that’s something that can serve you well for the rest of your life. If what you’re doing doesn’t require much mental focus, use the opportunity to let your thoughts richly wander to wherever you want them to go. There’s something about what you’re doing that you can enjoy. Latch on to that, turn on the enjoyment, love what you’re doing and make it great.
5. Or, do something else. If you can find no reason to love what you’re doing, then don’t do it. Unless you’re imprisoned or enslaved, you can choose what you do with your time. So quickly and enthusiastically move on to something else, something you can truly love, and some way in which you can create new value in every moment.