Do you find yourself overworked, doing dull work non-stop with no end in sight?

It is easy to lose yourself in such times, and forget your dreams and goals in such times.

When you find yourself in such a situation, one way is to drag yourself forward as long as you can because it pays the bills, gives you your identity, or just makes you feel useful and gives a sense that you are growing.

The other method is to find what is not dull, a hobby that you pursued as a kid or a side hustle. Something that makes you come alive and does not look like work to you.

Then either start or end your day with this non-dull part. Don’t go with the ‘I don’t have time’ excuse. Find 5, 10 or 20 minutes in your day, to pursue this.

When you do that, you will find yourself happier, more alert and taking less time to do the dull work.

Why? Because engaging in pursuits you love, puts you in a state of flow. And, this flow stays with you even once you are out of the pursuit that got you in state of flow. Once that happens you will see yourself moving through the day at a much easier pace, with less arguments and frustrations.

Here is another way to look at it.

No work is 100% boring or dull. If yours is, stop doing that work. But if your work is like usual work which is not 100% boring then start your day with non-boring. Then go for a big stretch of boring and then end the day with work that’s not-boring.

And then add a layer of work or non-work, a hobby, that you love spending on.

Either way, it will make sure that you don’t lose touch with what matters, and also find moments in your work day that you enjoy and look forward to.