This article from Lifehack.org gives you some ideas how to manage such a thing.

 

Ideally, we can choose to always do what we love without ever needing to think about the things we don’t like. That, unfortunately, is not the case in real world. There are times when we need to do something we don’t like.

Just think of the time when you were in school or college. While there were some modules you liked, there were usually also some modules you didn’t like. But you needed to work your way through all of them, not just the ones you liked.
Here is what Joel Spolsky wrote in Advice for Computer Science College Students regarding what he – as recruiter – looks for in resumes:

“I’m going to look for consistently high grades, not just high grades in computer science. Why should I, as an employer looking for software developers, care about what grade you got in European History? After all, history is boring. Oh, so, you’re saying I should hire you because you don’t work very hard when the work is boring? Well, there’s boring stuff in programming, too. Every job has its boring moments. And I don’t want to hire people that only want to do the fun stuff.”

As you can see, the ability to do well on things you don’t like is essential for success. It makes you perform consistently well no matter what. Such consistent performance will make you stand out among your peers.

Of course, we still need to motivate ourselves. We are more likely to perform well if we enjoy the process. While this might not be easy, here are some tips to help you enjoy what you are doing no matter what:

1. Look at the long-term benefit

Often, we need to do something we don’t like as a part of something larger which will give us big benefit in the future. For example, we take the modules we don’t like in college because it will eventually earn us a degree that gives us the opportunity to get a good job. It is unlikely that we need to do something we don’t like if there is no long-term benefit involved. By looking at the long-term benefit you will eventually acquire, the activity won’t look as bad as it is.

2. Find what you can learn from it

I believe there is always something we can learn from every experience. If we can’t find one, that’s maybe just because we are too focused on the negative side rather than the positive. For example, European History which Joel talked about may help us learn from thousands of years of experiences so that we do not need to repeat the same mistakes people did. Besides, it can give us more potential common ground to connect with new people (especially with those who like history). If you really can’t find any, at least the experience teaches you to be persistent in any situation. That’s a valuable lesson in itself.

3. Think of doing it for someone you love

Love is a strong source of motivation. If you do something for someone you love, it’s very likely that you can stand even the most boring activity and even enjoy the process. So keep in mind that you do not do this for yourself, but for someone you love.

4. Enjoy the interaction with the people

Your source of fun and enjoyment is not just the activity, but also the interaction with the people there. While the activity itself might not be very exciting, there might be a lot of rich experiences you can get from the interaction with the people. That’s also one reason to enjoy what you are doing.

5. Think and say something positive

If you keep thinking or saying that you don’t like an activity, there is no way you can enjoy it. Always think and say something positive. The points above helps you find positive things you can think and say about. You may think of the long-term benefit you will get, or the nice interaction you have with the people. Focus on these positive things; don’t ever think or say something negative..

6. Gather with passionate people

While you may not always have the luxury to choose who you work with, whenever possible you should choose to gather with positive people. Choose the people who you know are passionate about the activity. Their passion would be contagious. They will give you the energy to stay positive and even enjoy what you are doing.

Donald Latumahina is an avid learner who blogs regularly about personal growth and effectiveness. Read his articles on 15 Tips to Stay Positive in Negative Situations, and 10 Ways to Increase Your Arbitrage Power.

This article is VERY helpful and will likely prove to be a big life saver if you put it’s suggestions into practice.

Hack Your Boss

Here are thoughts on what your boss wants, based on experiences I’ve had. These are always subjective lists, and no, I don’t know YOUR boss personally. But I’ll tell you from the perspective of how I’ve best managed my bosses in the past, and how I’ve wanted things done when I’ve been in charge. Your mileage may vary.

Your Boss Wants…

• you to “get it” quickly, develop a plan quickly, and then take action.
• you to clear all the smaller roadblocks yourself, exercising creativity without burning down the business.
• you to execute without asking too many questions.
• your unique talents to augment her efforts, not require her time and affection.
• you to try looking from the Boss perspective at your project now and again.
• you to anticipate a little.
• warning flags early enough to step in and fix things, if need be.
• you to keep her posted, but not pestered. (Communicate the big things).
• to know when to act, and when to recommend.

By the same token, there are things that don’t make life easy for your boss. And by the way, “Boss” can be supervisor, board of directors if you’re the CEO, your customers if you’re a work-for-yourself type. You can stretch the definition, if you want to stretch the meaning. Here are some things your boss DOESN’T want.

Your Boss Doesn’t Want…

• dead mice left on the pillow. (If you’re a cat owner, this makes sense).
• low-level problems you technically should be able to handle.
• every micro piece of status, especially the ones you fix but COULD’VE been a bomb.
• to be left in the dark, either.
• “I tried, but couldn’t get it done in time.” (See warning flags above)
• to be part of your family, as much as a friendly colleague. Even if they SAY family.
• your dramas to become her dramas.

Well there. I’ve said what came right to mind, but I *know* that I’ve left out some choice ideas on both sides of this spectrum. Come on, skillful life hackers! What can we add to this post on both sides of the spectrum? And please point out where you think my advice would get you fired. That would also be interesting.

(written for LifeHack.org)

I read several good lifehack sites and have been saving good articles for a while. I think many people will find them useful…boys and girls.

This article is from Lifehack.org titled “Smart Questions that will Super Charge your life“.

No matter what’s going on in your life it’s occasionally very overwhelming and sometimes it’s good to just site down and focus on something. These questions below can be like a game. Pick one a day to help you figure out where you want to go and how you want to get there.

One of the most effective ways to achieve success is to ask yourself the right questions. When we ask ourselves a question, we always come up with an answer. Ask yourself “Why does this always happen to me,” and you’ll get an answer. But if you ask yourself “How can I have a great day today,” you’ll also get an answer. Which answer is going to empower you more? You got it. So why not ask yourself smart questions that will make you happier, more confident, more powerful, and more successful?

The world moves fast, our many interests are constantly being seduced by TV, the Web, and the omnipotent presence of marketing. Here are some questions you can use to keep you on the rails that lead to success.
How to Use Smart Questions

My recommendation is to take your favorite 5-10 questions from this list, write them down and post them near your desk, your bathroom mirror, the visor in your car and on the back of your cell phone. Pretty soon you’ll have them memorized and you’ll find yourself using these questions to filter out the wheat from the chaff.

The other way to use these questions is to take one question per day or per week. Write it down on a few yellow stickies and place them where you will see them all day long: by your bed, in the bathroom, in your car, at your desk and so on. Do this and watch the magic unfold!

Questions:

1. What do I want to accomplish today?
2. What is the most important thing I need to do today? (Do it first!)
3. Is this the best use of my time right now?
4. What am I trying to accomplish right now?
5. What can I cross off my list by deleting or delegating? What is not important?
6. What can I do right now to take the next leap instead of the next step?
7. Who can I learn from today?
8. Who can I thank today?
9. What am I grateful for?
10. How can I eliminate distractions right now?
11. What are my top 3 current goals?
12. What is most important to me in life?
13. If the my world was going to end within one year, what would I be doing right now?
14. What will I do today towards my major goals?
15. What action can I take instead of worry right now?
16. Who should I thank today?
17. Who needs some love today?
18. How can I be a kinder person today?
19. How can I have more compassion today?
20. What can I do right now to release negative energy in a positive way?
21. What can I do to let go of my anger?
22. How can I put worry on hold right now?
23. How can I choose happiness right now?
24. What can I do to slow down today?
25. What am I learning right now?
26. What beneficial routines can I start today?
27. What will I do, see, explore, or experience today that is new?
28. How and with whom can I partner today to make 1+1=3?
29. How can I be more compassionate today?
30. What will I celebrate today?
31. Where did I find Joy today?
32. What did I learn today?
33. How will I “pay it forward” today?
34. How will I make today great? How do I define great?
35. What can I stop holding/clinging to help me break free?
36. How can I let go with peace?
37. Who can I help today?
38. How can I add Peace to the world today?
39. What’s the most powerful thing I can do right now, today to increase my business?
40. What have I been avoiding that I can do today?

What are your favorite empowering questions? Please share!

K. Stone is author of Life Learning Today, a blog about daily life improvements. A few of her most popular articles are Ultimate Goal Setting Guide, How to Write a Book in 60 Days or Less, Should You Start Your Own Work at Home Business?, and How to Be a Great Salesperson.

I’ve edited the about page some and I’ll be adding to the wish page to include my favorite, favorite thing aside from $$…gift certificates for massages! I live for massages. LOL So keep an eye out for that if you want to impress me.

I hit the gym last night and did lower body weights and 15 mins of the eliptical trainer and 25 mins on the tredmill. Luckily, The Girls Next Door were on talking about their photoshoots and that gave me all the entertainment and inspiration I needed to keep going when my legs turned to jelly.

Speaking of which I was approached by a new boy who wishes to serve me while he meets his goal to lose weight. I’m looking foward to him, provided he isn’t a total loser and sticks with his goal. We’ll see.