“Pay now and play later or play now and pay later.” -John Maxwell
I often find myself not wanting to do things that I have to do or know that I need to do.
For example:
- I don’t want to go to that meeting
- I don’t want to hang out with anyone, I just want to stay home and relax
- I don’t want to write
- I don’t want to workout
- I don’t want to make calls
- I don’t want to serve
- I don’t want to ________
When I make these statements, it’s usually because I’m being lazy or selfish. I want to do what I want to do. I want to take it easy. Have you been there?
Unfortunately, I’ve found that when I do not do what I know I should do, I always end up disappointed.
I believe that if we will learn to push past our “I don’t want to’s” in life, we will find ourself accomplishing more and living more fulfilling lives.
An article in a medical journey said this about motivation: “Motivation is not going to strike you like lightning. And motivation is not something that someone else can bestow or force on you. The whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. Just DO IT. Exercise, lose weight, test your blood sugar, or whatever. Do it without motivation and then guess what. After you start doing the thing, that’s when the motivation comes and makes it easy for you to keep on doing it.”
Is that not true? I am almost always glad when I actually do what I did not want to do.
I believe that as we mature in this process, our “I don’t want to’s” will turn into “I get to’s!” You’ll find yourself saying:
- I get to go to that meeting
- I get to workout
- I get to write
- I get to serve
- I get to make calls
When this occurs, you will suddenly find yourself accomplishing more than you ever thought you could and you will be living a more meaningful life.
What are the things you don’t want to do, but know you should be doing?
My challenge to you today is to create a lifestyle where you are constantly pushing yourself to do those things. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised what happens when you do.
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