If You’re Going to Do It, Do It Well

Image Credit: Lorna Jane

There are many tasks in life that we don’t love doing – perhaps it is washing your car, cleaning the house, or even your job! However, if you have allocated time for a task, you may as well do the job to the best of your ability. You’re already there, putting in the time – why not do something that you are proud of. Someone once told me that every action we do holds our signature – do you want to know yourself as someone who does things half-heartedly, in a rush, or with no thought as to the quality of your work? Or do you want to make the impression, on yourself and others, that whatever you do, you do it well? If you show up for an hour’s workout session – you’re tired and it was a real struggle to get there. How do you think you will feel if you do a half-hearted effort? How will you feel if you put in everything you’ve got? Same amount of time spent – totally different outcome. At your work – is your reputation one that speaks highly of you and the quality and integrity of your output? What do you think of yourself and the things you produce? These are important questions, because even if you are performing mundane tasks, you are training yourself to expect certain standards of quality from yourself. So that one day, may your circumstances change and you are doing something very important (or you do important things every day), your brain is already in the habit of setting high standards and giving it your best shot. This goes a lot way with willpower, dedication and resilience in tough situations. Review your dedication to the everyday, less-enjoyable tasks in your life – what does it say about you?