Manual Labor is Good for the Soul
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Do you ever find yourself grumbling about all of the things you feel you have to do but can never find the time to do them? If you are like most people of course you do. The key is to 1) get started doing them and 2) try and have some fun while doing them.
It is difficult to focus on things that really matter when you have a long list of trivial tasks hanging over your head. Additionally, not completing these tasks may interrupt your ability to relax and enjoy the moment. For example, it may be difficult to relax and sit on your deck drinking coffee and reading the newspaper or a good book if the deck needs staining or a board needs to be replaced.
Solution – stain the deck or replace the board and then thoroughly enjoy it when you are done. Easier said then done, right? Maybe, but that doesn’t change the fact that you probably will not be content until it gets done. Let’s take the staining of the deck for example. Look at the weather forecast for the next few days and try to pick a day when you will commit the time to do it. It may have to be an evening after work in which you will only have a few hours to get it done. A day or two prior do all the prep work, clean it, buy all the needed supplies, and the day before stage everything. You could also enlist the help of your family or friends and make it somewhat of a social event. This follows the principle of breaking or chunking things down into shorter reasonable tasks so the overall objective does not seem so overwhelming and leads to procrastination.
I have come to look at things like staining the deck, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house etc… as a form of therapy that is good for the soul. The one great thing about tasks like these is that they provide immediate gratification and a sense of accomplishment which is a key ingredient in of happiness. Sure, you could outsource some of these items and many times it makes all of the sense in the world to do so but occasionally it is good to do some of these things yourself. You will feel better afterwards.
Another way do deal with tasks like these is that if you just cannot stand them is to listen to something on an mp3 player or something similar. With today’s audio technology you can listen to your favorite music, the news, amateur or professional podcasts or an audio book. Theoretically you could learn to speak another language while cleaning the house or learn how to stain a deck while mowing the lawn. The options are endless.
Make a list of everything you need or want to do around the house and then start chipping away. Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments. After you get the deck stained, make sure to have a family or neighborhood barbecue to enjoy it because that is why you are doing it.
