Have you ever wondered why some achieved so much more in a much shorter period of time?
It's not about fancy productivity apps, having a perfect system, or being more disciplined or motivated than anyone else. Sure, those things can help, but here's what I've discovered over the past few years: there's a hidden secret to productivity and fulfillment. Intrigued? Well, read on because we're about to uncover it in this article.
The Enjoyment Paradox
We tend to do more of what we love
The major insight I've gained is that productivity isn't merely about getting more things done. It's primarily about learning to enjoy the journey itself. When we find joy in what we do, productivity naturally falls into place. It's a simple concept, really.
Think about it for a moment.
When we engage in activities we enjoy, like hanging out with friends, watching Netflix, or playing video games, we don't worry about productivity or motivation. We don't say to ourselves, "I need to be motivated to watch the next episode of this show."
Similarly, I do not have to "force" myself to put on an option trade and investment position - I simply do it because I enjoy the process.
However, there will be moments where we have to force ourselves to be more motivated. And these are the moments where most tend to struggle.
The Challenge of Finding Motivation
I really don't want to do this, but...
Here lies the challenge we face— there are times where we have to motivate ourselves to do things that may be momentarily painful but benefit our future selves.
To give an example - I am not someone who loves exercising or running.
In fact, I dread it.
If you were to ask me what is my hobby - I would say "Watching Netflix and chill".
Never in my lifetime, I would say running or lifting weights is my hobby.
But here's the thing.
I needed to do it because I wanted a better version of myself.
I wanted to be fit and healthy. I wanted to feel more confident with myself.
I didn't want to be someone who was tired and fatigue all the time. I didn't want to seem like someone whom seemed to be low energy levels. This is what spurred me to do my workouts every day.
The key to finding motivation to what you hate to do?
Make the pain of not doing greater than the pain of doing.
The trick is this.
I associate a lot of pain to becoming someone who is tired and fatigue. I do not want to be identified as someone of low energy levels.
And the pain of that identity was much more painful than the pain of working out everyday.
You see - in this example, I cited that "I hated exercising".
However, what if there was a way to actually enjoy the process of these short-term pain?
Learning to Enjoy What You Do
Simple mindset shifts to doing bigger things
To learn how to enjoy the things we do, it involves adopting mindset shifts, employing environmental tricks, and implementing helpful techniques to foster enjoyment in our daily activities. When we learn to appreciate the journey, productivity becomes a natural byproduct.
Finding Purpose. We need to connect our tasks to a greater purpose or meaning. Understand how they contribute to your long-term goals or the well-being of others. When we see the impact and significance of your efforts, it becomes easier to find enjoyment in the process.
For example, the reason why I invest and dive so deeply into investments is because I wanted to have to freedom to make decisions for myself. I did not want to be constraint by my environment or the people around me.
Track your process. This is one of the most effective way to find joy in what you do. It is almost like a game.
For example, I used to only be able to bench press 30kg in the past. However, slowly but surely, I was able to bench press up till 70kg (and slowly improving). This sense of progress helps to motivate you further in your journey. Many times, people forget to reflect on how much they have grown and have the illusion that they were staying stagnant - therefore feeling unmotivated. Track your process and monitor your growth.
Find Accountability Partners. Surround yourself with people who are positive and able to support you in your goals. Look for people whom you look up to and get in proximity with them. We tend to be the average of the five people we spend the most time with. So choose your accountability partners wisely - and you will have so much fun growing together.
Conclusion
Embrace the Journey
Remember, productivity is not solely measured by the number of tasks completed or hours worked. It is about finding fulfillment, meaning, and enjoyment in what we do. By shifting our perspective and actively seeking joy in the journey, we can unlock our true potential and create a fulfilling and productive life.
People often look at the end result, but overlook the importance of enjoying the process. However, by embracing the journey, we can unlock a level of productivity and fulfillment.
So, let's shift our mindset, cultivate enjoyment, and savor every step of our productive endeavors. After all, life is not just about reaching the destination; it's about savoring the growth we experience within as we travel along the way in this journey of growth.