The title may confuse you but I chose not to.
We read from sayings of great people that if we can’t do what we love, we need to begin loving what we are doing. That doesn’t mean you need to blindly follow the norms set by somebody. When we spend ample amounts of time working willingly on particular endeavour, (according to ‘Deep Work’, a book by Carl Newport) myelination takes place inside the brain’s neurons implying the that brain gets transformed to do the particular thing well. From my observations, since we are more inclined to do lazy things (brain loves energy storage), chances are we get habituated to be lazy forever.
The only way that we can break the cycle of fiasco is by getting addicted or obsessed about that particular thing which we want to love.
Steps to get obsessed about your work.
- Start doing your work and cross your break even time. ( Time after which you will feel ‘OK’ with what you are doing.) -Don’t underestimate this small part – It’s the toughest bit, Dear. As long as I don’t start I wouldn’t feel like starting and after I start I don’t feel like giving up.
- Endure, and Endure. Every time you feel that you’ve worked enough for the day… Stop there – you aren’t going anywhere. I feel just a tiny bit hungry, stop there again, that hunger ain’t gonna do any damage. I need to check my Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and Email … hell with that shit, you still aren’t going anywhere. My mind wants to think about North Korea, Space shuttle, Christopher Nolan, Spiderman… No brother, superheroes can’t help you.
- Here comes the core. Focus. It’s that magical tool you’ve been searching for all along.
- Finally, the love part. There is a two way process. In one, there is an inherent curiosity about the work you are attempting – in this case you will automatically develop love for the job. Other case is you need to develop even the curiosity, then follow this Shloka from Natya Shastra…
“Yatho Hasta thatho Drishti, Yatho Drishti thatho Manah
Yatho Manah thatho Bhaava, Yatho Bhaava thatho Rasa”
Meaning: Wherever your hands go, your eyes follow. Wherever your eyes go, your heart (Manas – Exact meaning would be conscience) follows. Wherever your conscience go, your emotions follow. Wherever your emotions are in the hold, Rasa( that aesthetic flavour which you enjoy while doing) is gained.
Apply this to your work to enjoy the divine love of doing. Rasa Siddhi.