#162 | THE WORK YOU ARE AVOIDING IS WHERE THE MAGIC LIES

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY MAGI SLOAN

"Avoiding work is an easy habit to get into, but a hard habit to break." Robert J. Mckain

In last week’s show I brought to you THE ANXIETY ANTIDOTE, a show all about reclaiming your sanity in a world of uncertainty. The business world for creative freelancers that seems to be getting all the worse for us, day by day. If you missed it please go back and check it out. Today though I want to raise a point, that I nearly placed in a Pearls of Productivity Wisdom episode, but that I though was so important, so vital, that I must break it down in a single episode in case the message got lost in the mix.

THE MAGIC YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS IN THE WORK YOU ARE AVOIDING

Why do we often find ourselves avoiding certain tasks, especially when we know they hold significant value for our personal and professional growth? As it happens, the most mundane or the opposite to, the most daunting tasks are often those with the highest payoff. This avoidance stems from psychological barriers—fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or even just the discomfort of stepping out of our routine.

"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday and avoiding today." Wayne Dyer

Overcoming these mental blocks is no small feat, but it's essential for achieving peak productivity and personal development. By confronting these challenges head-on, you not only break down these barriers but also build a stronger, more resilient version of yourself.

I’ve covered this topic before, but perhaps never so directly – It came up again just recently as a Chapter in the You2 book by Price Pritchett. That’s episodes 156 to 160. This process of pushing through discomfort is where the magic happens. It transforms everyday tasks into opportunities for growth and success.

There are some jobs I just don’t like doing. Quite often they are just difficult and time consuming, like doing the promotion for this podcast. When I do a new season, I know I’m going to have to spend at least 3 days solely working on the admin and publicity elements that accompany it, yet by doing all that, the show gets out there, I send positive vibes out into the world and I get a lot of positivity back. That’s the magic.

Sometimes the work you are avoiding is just awkward, like having a difficult conversation. I find having discussions with Tradesmen to be particularly difficult, as it may involve me taking a day off work to allow them access to my home or asking them to fix an issue which they have caused. Another difficult conversation would be firing someone, or negotiating a fee for a freelance contract. My pet hate is when I’m told what the fee is rather than being asked to quote for a job. Occasionally, to avoid a difficult conversation about how its just not enough, I’ll concede and go ahead with what they offer, but that inevitable leaves me feeling disappointed in myself for letting someone else dictate my rates. If I were just to have that conversation with them, I’d be financially better off for it, the magic here would be in a better bank balance – and that in turn would lead to a better life. I am aware of this shortfall in my negotiating skills and I am consciously working to do better.

Another example of the work that we are avoiding may lie in Embracing Change: Many people resist change, fearing the unknown or the possibility of failure. Yet, stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing change can lead to new opportunities, experiences, and personal development. This is something I’m spending quite a lot of time on at the moment, as I’m finding the fight work that I do to be entirely unpredictable at the moment. I’m focusing down on learning new things and on a very specific niche area of corporate video marketing. More on that to come. I’d also go back to the promotion for this show, as if I could focus and drill down more on analytics and marketing in different ways I know I could do better. I’m always kept back on this by the feeling that it’s all a bit mundane and dull.

Engaging in self-reflection, something again you are perhaps voiding, will allow you to identify areas for improvement, gain a deeper understanding of yourself, and make positive changes in response. Learning to recognize and tackle these avoided tasks can be a game changer. It's about making a conscious decision to face what frightens us and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. This is how true transformation begins.

Transform Your Tomorrow, Today

"Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blue print, and begin to build." Robert Collier

Visualize achieving your dreams by tackling the challenging tasks head-on.

Think where you could be if you embraced the work you've been avoiding.

This isn't just about small daily gains; it's about monumental success that can redefine your future.

Do you find that you constantly put off important tasks, causing stress and impacting your productivity?

By tackling this avoidance of difficult tasks, you will experience the magic of increased productivity and reduced stress.

Step into Your Peak Productivity

Start today: Identify one task you've been avoiding and set a plan to tackle it this week. Whether it's a difficult email, a complex project, or even starting a workout routine, make the commitment to confront it head-on. This single action could set the stage for a pattern of productivity and success.

Remember that putting off important tasks only perpetuates stress and hinders your progress. Embrace the magic of increased productivity by facing challenges head-on and experiencing the satisfaction of accomplishment.

By tackling these tasks with purpose and conviction, you will unleash your potential and create a life of success and reduced stress. Now, it's your turn to take the reins and apply these insights to achieve optimal productivity in your daily life.

Don't forget to subscribe for more insights and strategies on personal development and productivity. Each step you take is a step closer to becoming the best version of yourself. Let's unlock that potential together!

Thank you for joining me on today's episode and investing your precious time with me. I truly appreciate it, and I hope you've gained some valuable insights. I look forward to having you back for the next episode which will be in about 12 weeks time if all goes well, and I see there’s an interest from listeners in hearing more.

I’d like to once again thank all of the sponsors who have supported the show this season. Petra Kolb, The Scare Scotland Talent Agency, The McCommitments, Robin Carter and Magi Sloan. This seasons Executive producer has been the wonderful Janet L Butler Executive Producer at Disruptive Film and Audio Productions Ltd. Please do go to the show notes to find out more.

This marks the end of an eight-episode mini-series, and I'd love to hear from you if you've found it helpful. Your feedback means a great deal to me and lets me know if I'm making a positive impact. Please don't hesitate to reach out and share your thoughts or leave a review on Apple Podcasts – it would mean the world to me.

One last thing, is a reminder that my friend Stephen a stunt professional in New York has a new show out called Fights with Friends so if you are looking for something to listen to during the break from this please do head over and subscribe to his show. You won’t regret it.

I’ll end this season with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi who said "The future depends on what you do today."

Now take control of your own destiny, keep on shootin’ and join me next time on FILM PRO PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESS!