I’ve been part of a Buddhist study group for the last three years and studied a book called The Joyful Path to Good Fortune page-by-page.
One small yet amazing side effect of this experience was that I did something I desperately needed to do – reprogram my thinking of what work and effort is about.
Before, I use to think you needed to work hard, push to achieve your goals, and fight against time. What this approach does is create the conditions to be stressed out. It doesn’t give you the peace you’re desperately seeking and you don’t enjoy what you’re doing.
Consider for a moment.
Stress arises from a mind of anger. The exact opposite feeling you’re going for.
This is not a fact to take lightly.
It’s easy to become deeply familiar with stress that it’s more comfortable to feel that way rather than calm. I’ve seen it in myself and with my clients.
Do you notice how stress blocks your ability to feel joy?
Instead of letting stress take over, imagine this to allow yourself to experience things differently.
The person you directly report to sends you these points in an email which you read at the start of the day.
- Focus on enjoyment rather than achievement
- Ignore feelings or thoughts of inadequacy, competitiveness, self-criticism, or self-sabotage
- Be gentle and kind to yourself while working through resistance, procrastination, etc.
- Take this work you’re doing as an opportunity to train your mind in joy. It takes practice!
- Ask for help when you need it and know you’re fully supported
- Motivate each activity with your wish to be peaceful and compassionate
- Dedicate your efforts on the behalf of others and deeply rejoice
I paraphrased these points from an email I received from my teacher on how to study for the exam.
It struck me as these are words that come from a truly inspired, encouraging, and confident leader.
Maybe write one of these points in your notebook or on a post-it. Or, you could read all of these to yourself every morning to inspire yourself.
You can achieve more without the painful effort and uplift the experience of others around you by simply knowing how to enjoy what comes your way.
And, know it’s possible to enjoy everything – the good parts and the bad parts. The bad parts simply teach you that you’re not enjoying so you know to do something different.
That’s true freedom.
Be open and flexible.
Your good results may come in a much different way that will profoundly impact your overall well-being. More than pushing will ever get you.
Worth a try?
Would love to hear your view.
Warmly,
Jennifer
