Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

I have seen this in people often, especially when looking in the mirror.

Not off to a good start, but let’s try to pull something useful from this.

We all tend to do what we like and avoid what we don’t like. Not surprising. I like ice cream. I hate paper cuts. My following actions are obvious.

I like solving some types of problems over others. Again, my following actions are obvious.

So what to do with all these meta-obvious-ness? Here are some things I have told myself to push me into the less-liked actions:

• This is your job. You are paid to do it. Do it.
• The longer you delay, the more it will hurt.
• Surprise yourself and do it, you might actually learn something.
• Well, we’re waiting…

There are other things I tell myself. The list could continue, and it will.