There are a lot of fun, exciting things in our lives. It could be the next ice climbing trip you’re going to take, or it may be binge-watching your favorite movie series. We love doing what we want to do.
However…
What happens when there are things we need to do that we don’t want to do? Many of us put those needed or essential tasks on the back burner while we enjoy ourselves.
Photo by Yves Cedric Schulze on Unsplash
We see it when it comes to saving money, planning for the future, and speaking to our teams. These tasks don’t happen by accident. They happen because we’re intentional.
And they need to be done. But why must you do those things you don’t want to do?
Good question!
Why You Must Do What You Don’t Want To Do
The things we don’t want to do often move the needle the most:
Think about the things you must do that you don’t want to do… Sometimes, we don’t want to do them because they’re no fun. Other times, it is because they’re out of our wheelhouse.
Yet, when those tasks are done, we see movement on achieving our goals, getting things done, and reaching the finish line.
We must do the thing we don’t want to because it moves us closer to our goals.
These things stretch us:
Someone may be out there who can do what you don’t want. It may even be cheaper to hire someone else.
I believe those are not always valid reasons to hire someone else for the tasks.
But you miss out when you avoid specific tasks because they’re stretching you. Think about an athlete. As they build up muscles, they stretch, tear, and rebuild the muscle.
Building muscle can hurt.
In the end, however, the athlete knows they’re better off for building the muscle. The temporary pain is just that: temporary.
Don’t let discomfort stop you from growing.
You’re the leader:
Maybe the most important reason for doing the things you must but don’t want to is because you’re the leader. You may scoff and think: You’re right! I am the leader and that’s why I can delegate these tasks to someone else.
That may be the truth. You may be able to hire it out, but you’re missing the big picture.
You have the opportunity to lead by example. You can show those you lead even the leader takes on tasks and responsibilities they don’t want to.
You’re the example people will follow. You get to step into those challenging, menial, sometimes demeaning tasks to help others realize they can as well.
Leaders lead. They are willing to step into jobs that are below them. Not because it’s easy, quick, or fulfilling. Exactly the opposite.
Doing those tasks makes your team realize the value of every role, task, and assignment.
Do Those Hard Things
Let’s stop using the excuse that we’re leaders to avoid things that are comfortable. We have the luxury of picking and choosing what we do.
Pick the hard thing once in a while. Pick the dirty job more often than not. Pick the task no one else wants to do.
In doing so, you will stretch yourself, move the needle, and show others what to do.
