A Mindset Shift for the Mundane Stuff of life…
Have you ever felt like you’re wasting your time on the Mundane Stuff of life? It is SO easy to feel like you’re putting off your dream life for some distant moment in the future. In this post, I'm sharing a mindset shift for the mundane stuff of life…
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Someone recently shared that they were struggling with, “Feeling dead, because I’m pouring my life into a job just so I can afford to quit to regain my life.” Man… did I feel that! It is SO easy to feel fall into the trap of thinking you’re putting off your dream life for some distant moment in the future.
If you’re feeling like this, I really hope this article gives you a MASSIVE shift in your perspective… but, first…
Think about your personality! 🥰
If you’re struggling with the mundane, everyday life stuff (you know — like a job. 😂) then I’m willing to bet that you’re probably a big-picture thinker! You’re likely easily bored, and you might struggle with really long-term goals. I’m willing to get that you have REALLY big things that you want to do, and you feel like you’re STUCK here, just waiting for those things to happen.
On the flip-side, there are a group of people (who I lovingly call “magical unicorns” 😂) who are GREAT at being present. These “Here and Now” people are good at doing the next thing, they don’t get bored as quickly, and they are typically better at working towards their long-term goals!
The problem with thinking that you have to wait for a future moment (retirement, more money, etc), is that it’s usually rooted in all or nothing thinking.
All or nothing thinking pulls you toward extremes. And you have to watch out, because that kind of extreme thinking is a huge part of derailing your progress towards your goals!
To shift your mindset AWAY from all-or-nothing thinking, ask yourself this: “Why does it have to be one or the other?” Why do you have to pin your hopes on retirement, (or another HUGE milestone)? Why can’t you have both — a joyful life NOW, and a joyful life WHEN you hit that goal or milestone?
I hate to tell you… but you’re going to be the exact same person when you get to that place in life. 🤷🏻♀️ And as SOON as you get there, you’ll want something else to make you happy, or make you feel more fulfilled.
Next, consider the FEELINGS you’re choosing.
There’s a good chance you’re tricking yourself into thinking that “once I get there, I’ll be happy…” But that’s all it is: A TRICK. You aren’t going to be any more happy, free, joyful, peaceful, or fill in the blank once you get there. Because it’s the same YOU, and YOU are the one that decides how you feel each and every day! The moment you get there, you’re going to want something else, something better, something new.
This is why it’s SO helpful to lean into what you’re longing to feel! Imagine quitting for a second… now, would you FEEL if you quit? Then write down some ways you can you create those feelings TODAY! (I go into more detail about how to choose your feelings here!)
Start Shifting your Mindset from “HAVE TO” to “WANT TO!”
My word for this year is “INCREASE,” and what that’s really looked like has been the increase of the mundane workload. 😑 If I let myself have a negative mindset around this, I’ll find myself in a “I Have To…” state of mind, and that always = UGH feelings and thoughts.
But when I started thinking about the work I’m doing, I realized, it’s not just something I “have” to do. They’re all callings… and if I’m called to these things, then that means I get to STEWARD them. For me, shifting my mindset to accepting all aspects of my calling(s) means that I’m CHOOSING this life. I’m CHOOSING this work! ALL OF IT — even the mundane, less than exciting parts.
The truth is, that on the other side of all the things I don’t love is the growth that I’m really longing for. On the other side of consistently posting on instagram are the clients that I am DREAMING of serving. On the other side of faithfully working in my home is the orderly, tidy home I’ve only dreamed of.
Growth ONLY HAPPENS in discomfort. That means leaning INTO what feels uncomfortable, not running away from it!
So, instead of thinking “UGH, I have to wash the dishes AGAIN.” I’m changing my thoughts to “I’m going to steward this WELL.”
When you choose to steward something, you realize that you’re part of a bigger picture vision. It’s NOT just a mundane job. And faithful stewardship ALWAYS leads to growth and reward in one way or another. You don’t know the blessings that can come from faithful stewardship, even of the small, mundane things of life.
SO: How do you get your mindset ready for uncomfortable growth?
Clarify where you’re at RIGHT NOW:
You need to get clear on where you’re at RIGHT NOW. So, you don’t love your job… can you leave? Would it hurt your family? Would it affect the current calling on your life? Would it harm you, knowing that you’ve given up on (yet another) area of work, instead of seeing it through?
For me, I’m not going anywhere as a Mom — I love my kids! But the things I so often want to escape are heavily tied to things that MATTER. I don’t love folding laundry, but my family needs clothing. I don’t love homeschooling, but my children’s education matters to me!
Connect, or Reconnect, with your VISION:
This shift from “have to” to “WANT TO!” has looked a lot like leaning into NEW words and phrases. In my vision-casting each quarter, I started seeing new words and phrases showing up in my writing. Words like, “Order,” and “Consistency.” I knew that was a hint of REALLY big change. See: I have BIG DREAMS. And I won’t be able to level up, and carry a bigger load until THE MUNDANE STUFF is rock-solid.
If we hold what we’ve been given well, we’ll be given MORE. You never know what might come next… but you won’t get there until you hold THIS WORK to the best of your ability.
Get REALLY clear on what that vision is for your future. I believe that everyone is here for a reason, and it’s like the BEST, most exciting adventure to uncover each piece of our purpose. It’s EXCITING! Sit down and write down the dreams that are on your heart. What are you doing? Who are you helping? Where are you going?
Clarify your WHY.
Decide what you’re working (or, fighting!) for! Decide WHY you’re working towards this. WHY does this matter? HOW MUCH does it matter?
Listen, everything in my business changed when I got crystal-clear on my why. I had this endless cycle of highs and lows, excitement and frustration about my goals for my coaching business. (This can happen with ANY job!) Then last year, I decided that I’m running this business because I KNEW I WAS CALLED TO IT. And it massively changed the way I showed up to my work… and my business started growing almost immediately. *shocker*
This is where you decide what you’re made of. This is where you decide how long you’re in this for. Make the decision NOW, so you don’t constantly re-hash that decision every time you want to quit.
What are you willing to sacrifice?
This is the MOST uncomfortable, yet most growth-related thing I have ever done in my life. As you think about your current life-status, and where you want to go from here, ask yourself “What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve this?”
This is a GAME-CHANGER for your consistency and progress. Basically, you’re deciding ahead of time what you’re really willing to sacrifice in order to make these goals happen. So, the next time you tell yourself “I don’t wanna…” you’ll remember that you’ve already decided to sacrifice, and you’ll be a LOT more likely to get up and get it done.
EXTRA NOTE:
This may NOT be your dream job, and that’s OKAY! I spent years feeling guilty that I wasn’t happy ONLY being a stay-at-home-mom… but when I began to let go of that guilt I realized… it wasn’t just unhappiness as a mom, it was a dream for MORE. It was a baby-vision for something that added TO my life, not took away from it — it was the start of Chasing Wonderment. 😍
Here are a few extra Journaling Prompts to help you dig deeper:
What are your MUNDANE areas of life? (Be specific)
What do you think about these areas of life? (Are the necessary? Important? Worthwhile?)
List 2-3 ideas that could help you get closer to the feelings you want to experience WHILE you’re doing the mundane things of life!
Do you need some extra support?
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You'll get a ½ hour chat with me to talk about your mindset, intentional living, or whatever — no strings attached. 😉