Turning “Chore” into “Choice”
January 12th, 2010
My friend Tony was asked to do something in a meeting that personally filled me with dread. Just thinking about this duty ignited my inner chatter, “I’m so happy she picked him and not me.” “There’s no way I could do that, nor do I want to.” “That’s definitely someone else’s job.”
While my busy brain continued to dialogue with itself, I turned to Tony who was sitting next to me. With conviction, he looked the woman who made the request straight in the eye and in a fierce, southern drawl he responded, “Oh, I will.” And without missing a beat, he began that task with fervor.
I started thinking about the difference between Tony and me in that moment. While I related to that request as a “chore”, Tony clearly made his “choice” to say a hearty “yes” to his adventure and in doing so, owned his power and had fun.
When we relate to things as chores, there is judgment. Whether it’s laundry or those lingering items on your “to do” list that just cannot find their way to completion, these necessary tasks can often feel overwhelming and unpleasant.
Recently, I was talking to a dear friend who was feeling burdened by an extraordinary amount of responsibilities he was facing in his life. Expressing his anger and upset with himself for over-committing, I asked him what it would be like if he changed each item on his long list from a “chore” to a “choice”. What if he stood in a place of power and said, “I am choosing to do this” instead of feeling like he “had” to or “should” do this? This simple idea quickly shifted his energy and almost instantly, he was able to productively move through his day with ease, finishing a significant amount of what he had set out to accomplish. He felt free.
Today in a meeting I was asked to do the same task that Tony had been asked to do weeks before. As the dread of this request began to well up inside of me, I smiled, consciously turned that chore into MY choice, and said, “Oh I will!” And I did.
As you write down and move through your daily “to do” lists and as unexpected responsibilities arise in your day, ask yourself, “Am I relating to this as a chore or a choice?” Once you are aware of the thought behind each task, then you get to decide what happens next. That’s your power. Own it!
What are you choosing today?
Love this! Love the way you express an idea in making it so seemingly easy and doable. What I often make to be such big burdens in my head can shift by simply owning my power. Thanks for the reminder!