Visible change in our physical environment, achieved through our own hands, has profound benefit. The deep down knowledge that we can have a positive effect, that we have done something for ourselves, to see to our own survival or to make our existence more pleasant is empowering.
We are physical beings, an integral part of the natural world. If we are not manifesting physically, each day, some expression of our unique being, we are not truly living.
Healthy effort is appropriate and productive. An authentic attitude of ‘What can I do to affect and improve my situation and surroundings? and ‘How am I expressing my unique contribution to the world in more than thoughts and words?’
If you struggle to move yourself to action, or find yourself frequently avoiding effort or making excuses, it may take some introspection to figure out your Why.
Unhealthy attitudes and unresolved emotions block productive action.
Healthy effort is not false or misdirected.
Pretending to be busy, working hard to change things you can’t control, or always planning but never doing may take energy and time, but they are not productive. Directing others to implement your wishes is to grasp at a sense of control. But no amount of control over other people will give you the fulfillment that you will gain through control over yourself and your own productive action—thinking with your own mind, acting with your own hands… always in alignment with reality. Working hard based on false beliefs will only increase feelings of futility.
Avoiding effort is not a victory.
It’s cheating yourself. To become dependent or constantly defer to others’ choices may offer a sense of comfort by avoiding responsibility for negative results, but leads to feelings of powerlessness and self-betrayal. The less effort you put into your life, the worse you will feel. Some children revel in getting out of doing things they don’t want to do, like skipping chores in favor of playing. If you continue to do this as an adult, you are only letting yourself down.
Escape is not the answer.
Our culture pushes distractions that encourage us to become couch potatoes, staring at screens so we don’t have to think about our problems, losing touch with our physical bodies and isolating us from nature and each other. When we develop a lifestyle that doesn’t include all aspects of our being (physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual) in a healthy balance, we suffer. Sometimes in ways and on levels that we don’t fully understand. We may get caught in a cycle of escape that increases anxiety and seems to require more escape.
There is no “something for nothing.”
Yet our culture is hyper-focused on this message. Lose weight without changing your lifestyle… Earn income with no effort or risk… Have the same things as everyone else, without doing the same work. In the pursuit of happiness there is no something for nothing. No slogan. No luck. No magic pill. The more “pills” you substitute for the actual work, the less effective and self-reliant you will feel.
Resistance you don’t understand can paralyze you.
It can feel like your muscles are automatically steering you away from the behavior or your mind is convinced there’s a compelling reason to not do it now. A force that seems so inherent in your being that questioning it would be like questioning whether you should continue to breathe. When you feel resistance , bring your attention to it. I’m choosing to avoid X. Why? Fear of criticism or correction? Disappointment in your failure to live up to someone’s standards? Anger? Resentment? The sources of these reactions may lie deep in your past. You may need to seek out resources to help you understand the causes and direct your efforts to resolve them.
While resentment can be a reasonable reaction to someone trying to use you or step over your boundaries, pay special attention to feelings of resentment centered around having to take care of yourself. This can surface in anger and frustrated thoughts like, “Fine. I guess I’ll just have to do it myself.” Immature expectations may be leftover from childhood—unmet needs that you’re still subconsciously waiting for something or someone outside of you to address—or you may have learned from an overwhelmed parent’s example to respond to your needs with frustration or fear.
Action + Self-Recognition builds a foundation of confidence.
Practice taking action daily that demonstrates your participation in this world in a positive way. Proof that you exist in the world, beyond your thoughts.
Small acts with Self-Recognized visible results accumulate, build inner confidence and prove to yourself that you are capable and effective. You will create a more positive atmosphere in your life, making room for those bigger things you need and want to do.
You won’t get the effort/reward benefit if YOU can’t honestly appreciate your work.
If you wait for appreciation or approval from outside, you may be waiting a long time. You’ll make your experience dependent on others, relinquishing control, becoming a victim. Nobody appreciates my efforts, so why bother.
Instead, insulate yourself from others’ opinions by starting in private. It doesn’t matter whether anyone else is there to see it. This is not about them. This is between you and yourself.
Look for things that make you feel good. Results you like. Results that make you smile. It can be as simple as straightening up that pile of clutter in the corner, fixing that squeaky hinge, or washing the car. Then allow yourself to experience the positive result. Shout it out! I made that happen! Good job! Yay me! Shout over the noise in your head. Shout over the voices that tell you it’s stupid, it’s too little too late, it’s not the way so-and-so would do it, it’s not perfect, it’s not enough. Simply because you like the result, it’s worth the effort.
Your life is a gift, for you alone to live. Actively. Productively. Responsibly. Push yourself and put effort into getting out of your own head and into the physical world every day. Push through your resistance and DO something. Anything. One tiny thing at a time. Behave as if you care about yourself and your surroundings. Take the trash out. Make the bed. Then have your own private celebration.
What physical evidence of your existence have you added to the world today, or avoided adding? What does that communicate about you? Careless or attentive? Angry or kind? Self-pitying or Confident? Responsible adult or helpless child?
Is that who you believe you are?
Is that who you want to be?
