Doing What is Required
Hi there!
Welcome back to the MoodiNews. Every Thursday, we discuss a variety of matters related to mental health and self-improvement.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Today we will be discussing another favorite phrase of mine for building mental resilience.
That phrase is, “I will do what is required.”
Let’s face it—sometimes life SUCKS.
Today’s phrase (I will do what is required) is helpful for people who have already started to work on their goals, and now need a little help staying on track.
At it’s core, the phrase I will do what is required is an effective conduit for mental resilience, because it combats willful thinking.
Willful thinking or willfulness is synonymous with stubbornness—essentially, it’s an obstinate mindset.
(To give you an idea, willfulness involves refusing to do what’s skillful, even when it’s to our own detriment—for example, needing to put gas in the car once the fuel light comes on, but driving past the gas station after work because we don’t want to exert the effort to fill up...)
Willfulness causes all kinds of problems for people—it often precedes mood-dependent behavior, because willfulness stops us from doing the things we need to do, allowing us to justify doing more impulsive things instead.
Because the phrase I will do what is required ignites willingness rather than willfulness, it is super helpful for keeping us adherent to our long-term goals by closing windows of opportunity to engage in mood-dependent behavior.
I cannot tell you how many times the phrase I will do what is required has saved me—especially around self-driven tasks that no one else is forcing me to do (which usually makes the desire to procrastinate even stronger)—for example:
When I’m at work but want to leave early and do my administrative notes later… I stick it out by agreeing to do what is required, which keeps me mindful of my goals so that I fight less before doing whatever work is necessary.
When I have chores to do but a strong desire to watch TV comes up… I stay committed to doing what is required, which helps me make better decisions in the moment, regardless of what I would rather be doing instead.
One of the quickest ways to build self-respect (and increase overall happiness) is to set small goals for yourself, and then actually accomplish them.
How well you KEEP your commitments to yourself seriously dictates how successful you will FEEL internally on a daily basis.
To that end, the phrase I will do what is required is helpful because it reduces the friction that arises when we fight with ourselves and want to take the path of least resistance.
It simply reduces the amount of time that we spend dreading something before just doing it anyway.
The next time you find yourself dragging your feet or stopping yourself from persisting on important goals, you can also readjust your mindset by saying: “I really don’t want to do this, but I will do what is required—whatever it takes.”
Remember: Willfulness is a normal phenomenon.
Just because something is hard for you doesn’t mean that you’re doing it wrong!
You’re not weak just because you don’t want to do something—in fact, it’s the act of persisting despite feeling bad that makes you strong (versus feeling good all the time and only doing what’s easy).
Success requires setting clear goals for yourself and then doing whatever is required in order to achieve them.
Having the phrase I will do what is required in your back pocket can help you reach your goals faster by assisting you in moments of low motivation—like a mental re-boot!
Use it for yourself, and see how it goes.
Happy Holidays everyone!!!