Why Some Things in Life Start to Improve In Reverse

I think most of us probably grew up with the mentality that hard work usually pays off. This is probably why we tend to chase after the “standard pathway”. We study hard, get a stable job after graduation, work our ass off, save as much as we can and finally perhaps, own that dream house or car that we call our own. Well, at least that is the case for me. And as much as this is true to a certain extent, there are still many things that will happen during the process of us chasing towards our dreams or goals.

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Does the phrase "if I work double hard, I will get double rewards" sound familiar?

Do you think the phrase is untrue? Probably not. The phrase will work on things and tasks that are mindless and repetitive - washing dishes, changing bed sheets, sticking labels onto surfaces.

Other than such activities, most activities that happen in our lives actually require lots of thoughts and innovations.

Many times, the more we focus and want to get something done, the more we will not finish or accomplish it.

Quoting Mark Manson, "when the action becomes purely psychological—an experience that exists solely within our own consciousness—the relationship between effort and reward becomes inverted."

Here are some examples below that gets better when we start to think “backwards”.

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1) Freedom
The more we want and demand for freedom, it ironically limits us from achieving freedom. In fact, try accepting and putting your heart into what is present in front of us, commit and enjoy it. This way, we will then truly exercise our freedom.
2) Happiness
There are many ways to make yourself happy. However, the more you try to do so, the more you feel unhappy. Accept that you are unhappy and work from there. That is when you feel true happiness.

3) Security
Forcing ourselves to feel secure will generate more insecurity! Being comfortable with the insecurity will allow us to feel better!

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4) Change
The more we want to change ourselves, the more we feel that we are not enough. When we accept ourselves for who we are, the more we grow and improve as we will spend lesser time dwelling on the changes we can make and rather do things that can improve ourselves.

These happen because they are hugely related to how our mind works. We are taught to work for the things we want. Little did we know by letting go (and that’s not weakness), we learn to fear and accept uncertainties, especially when some things are really beyond our control.  By not forcing things to be the way you want, we can find peace and seek improvements instead.

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Work hard for your goals but remember that there are also many things in life that can't be forced. Nobody likes to be forced and that applies to ourselves. Like the old saying “the best things happen when you least expected it”.  

Why not take a break, have a feast with your loved ones and put down your work and complete those later? You might have more energy and inspirations to deal with it after a well-deserved break and feast with your loved ones!

Head over to FoodLine.sg to order in a delicious meal now!

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Article credit to this great article! Read more to understand more: https://markmanson.net/why-the-best-things-in-life-are-all-backwards

Feature Photo By: John Fornander on Unsplash