How to feel more proud of what you do
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I moved into a new apartment last month. Now I’m building a new recording studio. It doesn’t look like much yet— The lighting is off, the mics aren’t in position, and there’s no personality. I’ve really hardly begun. Still, it feels great to be building the studio. Partly that’s because the work is tangible. If you’re like me and much of your work is computer work, the physical quality of building something you can touch makes a difference. But it’s also because I’m fully dedicating myself to this project. I’m investing enough time and money to feel proud of what I’m doing. I feel proud because I’m whole-assing this project. There are, of course, other items on my to-do list. I’d like to publish my completely re-recorded Things 3 course, make videos about the latest Apple Notes and Reminders features, experiment with a new style of YouTube videos, and so on. But I’ve put all of those items on hold until the studio is done. Overwhelm is the #1 challenge people tell me about. Over and over again. I get overwhelmed too sometimes. It’s just part of the time we live in. Even if we’re privileged and we don’t have to be busy all day to make ends meet, there are so many things we could be doing that it can take herculean effort to focus on one thing at a time. But that focus allows us to do a great job. It allows us to feel proud. And feeling proud is such a great antidote to feeling overwhelmed. Make a to-do list, prioritize it, then work through it one thing at a time. What a recipe for success. If you’ve got a project that deserves it, put it at the top of your list, give it your full attention, and see how it makes you feel. I’m betting it will feel great. Happy Sunday. |
Peter Akkies
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