UCanMakeItIfYouTry – Finding Joy In Mundane Tasks
Being an adult is not always fun. We have many chores and tasks that must be done – even when we don’t enjoy them! These nine tips make it possible to find a little bit of joy in the mundane.
! – Combine Enjoyable Tasks with Not-So-Enjoyable Ones
Few people love cleaning bathrooms or folding clothes. Those tasks seem so dull. Listen to an audiobook or chat with a friend on the phone while cleaning your house. Time can go much quicker if you join something you like with something you don’t.
2 – Readjust How You Think about a Task
Often we complain that we ‘must’ do the dishes or we ‘have to’ create the sales presentation. Train your brain to find joy by telling yourself that you ‘get’ to create a wonderful sales presentation that will win the contract. The changing of one word will do wonders for your mindset.
3 – Take Time to Play
All work and no play ensure you will not find joy in your day-to-day life. Look for those moments when life is less serious. Laugh at your dog’s goofy look. Play cars with your son on the living room floor. Savor the breeze blowing through your hair. These little moments will remind you that life doesn’t always have to be serious.
4 – Keep a Gratitude Journal
Writing done the things you are grateful for helps encourage a happier mindset. Take a plain notebook and 10 minutes each evening to jot down those items that brought a smile to your face. (Hint: Review it often.)
5 – Take Pride in a Job Well Done
Sometimes we flit from task to task or project to project and forget to step back and savor the success of our endeavors. This can be as simple as relishing in the super-organized closet you spent the last two hours on. It can also be smiling as you put the final touches on a work project that has taken months to finish.
6 – Reward Yourself
It makes sense to reward yourself when you complete for some tasks. Many projects will not be fun, no matter what. Sometimes, you need something to look forward to—like chocolate.
7 – Ask for Help
Let’s say you hate folding towels. You can make the job easier by asking for help. Ask your partner to help you as you each chat about your day. Having someone assisting eases the burden and makes things a little more fun.
8 – Put Your Emphasis on Serving Others
There are times when mundane tasks are just too dull. Consider how you make someone else’s life a little easier when you accomplish these boring projects. They may not say ‘thank you,’ but you know that your work makes a difference.
9 – Get in Touch with Your Competitive Side
If you are a competitive person, you can take some of your projects and tasks and try to ‘one-up’ yourself. You might set a timer to complete a chore. The next time you do it, try to beat your time.
FAST-ACTION STEPS
1 – Create a gratitude journal and set an alarm to remind you to fill it out each evening. You can use a notes app on your phone or grab a spare notebook. All it takes is 10 minutes a day.
2 – Schedule a specific day for laundry (or another mundane task) and use that time to call old friends to catch up. You might find that you look forward to Laundry Day.
3 – List out ten rewards that take 10 minutes or less to accomplish. Put them on slips of paper, and the next time you face an incredibly boring project, reward yourself with one of the rewards.
- About the Author
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James Donaldson
Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)
James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.
James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
James is a 40+ year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!
