How To Do What You Don't Want To (Better)

We all do things we don’t want to do. There are some tasks that are universally unpleasant, such as picking up dog poo. Others may have greater subjectivity in their appeal, like going to the gym.

Whether you love what I hate, or vice versa, the overarching truth holds.

It’s even true when you decide to leave a career path to pursue another one that you actually want to work in. Within realms we enjoy overall, there are parts we do not.

The other day I thought about how much I do not want to send pitch emails to brands for my upcoming trip. I need to send these emails. How might I look at this task differently, so that I can at least decrease the displeasure of it?

Here’s what I came up with:

1) Gratitude for the ability.

If I’ve ever had an injury that prevented me from being able to run, I then desperately wish to be able to run. Shortly after I am able to run again, I often don’t want to run.

We don’t realize how much we would want the opportunity to do the things we do if we weren’t able to do them.

2) Why am I doing this?

Why am I sending pitch emails to brands for my next trip? If I send pitch emails, there’s a greater chance I find a brand that wants to work with me. Even though that brand pays me a pittance in the grand scheme of life expenses, it expands my portfolio and skillset for greater opportunities in the future - a critical part of my business plan.

There’s reasons we do things we don’t want to - be very clear on them.

3) What does the future of this thing look like?

Right now it’s me sending the emails - but as time goes on, that’s likely to change. At some point I’ll have an agent that handles nearly all of this, giving me time to do other things… ideally things I want to do.

It’s unlikely that this goes on as it is forever.

4) The alternative.

Working as a lawyer.

No.

There are some things we don’t want to do that we need to, and others that we shouldn’t do. For the things we need to, this is the framework I’m going to reuse to make life more pleasant.

Ultimately, how we choose to looks at things makes a tremendous impact.

May we choose wisely.

Sincerely,

Jacob

P.S. Started reading the Old Testament… curious what the hype is all about.