Frogs versus inspiration
- Karen Wilson: Family Corner
- July 24, 2023
- 451
A lot of sources say you should get the worst done first. Consider Mark Twain’s quote about eating the biggest frog first and Brian Tracy’s book, "Eat That Frog." The idea is a good one. Get the things done that you least want to do so they're out of your way and off your mind. For the most part, I agree. However, sometimes we need to make sure we get the things that inspire us done first.
In fact, I’m making last additions to this column as I paddle my kayak at sunrise.
All too often I spend my days getting the laundry done, doing the dishes and cleaning the house, then doing the farm chores and the errands and, well, you know the rest of the list. I’m sure you have one of your own.
I've learned after years of working from home that there will always be more things that need to be done. I could work 24/7 and still not get everything done that would be nice to have done.
So I have learned sometimes I need to just let it all go and do the things that inspire me first.
This week has been perfect for early morning kayaking. So I've gone three days in a row.
A week ago our loft, which serves as our office and library, needed a thorough cleaning. The walls of bookshelves and books held too much dust as a result of dry weather and a construction project. In the middle of tackling the job, I realized the chair I love to sit in to read or journal had not been sat in nor journaled in for months. So I immediately picked up my journal and my pen and took half an hour to sit and write.
Somehow that made doing the rest of the shelves easier and more joyful.
Obviously, putting things off too far will lead to a mess that will need way too much attention later. However, our minds and bodies need rest and inspiration. If we set those two things aside too often, all our days become laborious and our minds and bodies become exhausted.
If you're feeling yourself starting to drag and drop into drudgery, try doing the inspirational first. Sometimes knowing you've done what you wanted to do first makes the needed things easier to do.
What things would you like to do? Have you made a list?
Sometimes we get so caught up in the things we need to do that when we have time for the inspirational, we don't even know what it is we wanted to do. So make a list and resolve to add such things into your everyday life.
If you're afraid you won't get things done, give yourself a week or two trial period, then come back and look over the weeks. See if you felt better or actually got more done. I find in my case I do. If I take time to do the things that inspire me first, I get more of the everyday stuff done and I'm happier about it.