Are you willing and able to find magic in the menial? Can you take a boring, repetitive task and find a way to enjoy it and even learn from it?
Today I was tasked with unboxing and stocking our cups, lids, napkins, and other supplies for the coffee shop. I didn’t think it would be that bad, but it soon turned into more of a job than I thought. It may seem easy and I would agree, but it was a slow, boring process that caused some frustration.
I didn’t want this to ruin my mood, however, so I needed to find a way to accept it. So instead of being frustrated and performing a subpar job, I considered how I could enjoy it. With consideration, I realized jobs like this are exactly what I love to do. I love organization, cleanliness, and putting things in efficient order. When I’m given a job to do, I try to do it to the best of my ability. If that’s a quality I want to exude, I can’t pick and choose my moments.
To make things even better, I turned on some music and got to work. It took a long time, but I managed to complete the task without losing my temper. When I felt anger arise towards things outside of my control, I reminded myself of why this was good for me to be doing and thoughts of ways to learn from this. I walked away with clearer ideas of organization and procedures to follow from this point forward, so something like this wouldn’t happen again.
You’re going to be tasked with jobs that feel menial and below your skill level – that’s just how life goes sometimes. You have to be able to shut your ego up, swallow your pride, and act like the better version of yourself would. That means doing the job well, but also finding ways to enjoy it and learn from it.
You don’t always get to choose the tasks you have to do, but you always have the choice to do them well and consider them in a positive light. Your own reasons will be unique to you, you just have to make an effort to discover them.
No matter what you have to work on or overcome, do it to the best of your ability, don’t complain, and do everything you can to enjoy it and learn. Let this be your practice. Let this teach you more about yourself and how you work.
October 31, 2024
