|
HERE’S AN ODD SUGGESTION: When you’re
working, try to burn calories. Be useful, helpful, and as productive
as you can. Even if your job is sitting at a keyboard all day,
try to do it energetically and with enthusiasm. It may
seem stupid, but give it a try before you decide. Blast out your
effort like a thousand-watt bulb and here’s what you’ll
get in return:
|
1. You’ll be more energetic,
not less. You’d think it would wear you out, but that’s
not the case, as you can find out for yourself by trying it.
You may have a pleasant sense of relaxation at the end of the
day, as you would from some good exercise, but it won’t
make you tired. Holding back makes you tired. Going through
the motions makes you tired. Just trying to get through the day
makes you tired.
2. You’ll advance faster. Of
course, when opportunities come around, the person putting their
all into the work (you, for instance) is going to be chosen over
the people who are getting by doing as little as possible. Obviously.
3. Your job will be more secure.
Giving your all will make you feel more secure in a sometimes
insecure world. And you’ll not only feel more secure,
your feeling will be an accurate perception of the reality.
4. You’ll feel better about yourself.
It feels good to do well. And you can look your boss in the eye
and know s/he’s getting a good deal. You can see that there
are very few people you work with (or none at all) who give their
all. The comparison between you and the rest of the pack will
make it very clear in your mind you can stand tall and proud
when your supervisor is around.
5. You’ll improve your abilities
faster. Whatever skills your job requires will be honed more
quickly when you’re giving it your all.
|
THE HUMAN BRAIN and body has a default
setting: Conserve energy. You know this from personal experience.
It’s probably hardwired genetically and kicks in with the
onset of adulthood. You and I have a natural tendency to try
to be conservative with our energy output. That’s there
naturally, but you’re not stuck with it. You can override
that default setting with a simple decision: Put out as much
effort as you can.
Put the decision into action and before
long, you’ll forget. You’ll be back to your default
setting. When you notice you’ve gone back to the conserve
energy mode, decide again to try to burn calories. Remake
your decision again and again. Blasting out the energy won’t
wear you out or make you tired. But it will make you feel
proud, secure, and confident.
When you’re working, try
to burn calories.
|