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Can you be successful without enjoying the grind?

What does it mean to grind on something? Grinding means doing something tedious for a long time without giving up. It means being relentless.

Why would somebody want to grind away at something? The answer is because that 'something' is their purpose, what they love, a task that gives them pleasure.

The U.S. Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, and Land) are deemed to be some of the most highly trained, highly motivated, and highly resourceful warriors in the military. They train constantly to develop and maintain their proficiency. These would be people who enjoy the grind of the work they do.

Since most of us are not elite military operators, how do you enjoy your grind?

Initially, you have to relish the purpose behind your work. Believe it or not, we all have a mission, purpose, or why. We are on this planet at this time for a reason. Don't believe me? The Holocaust survivor and writer Viktor Frankl said, "One should not search for an abstract meaning of life. Everyone has a specific vocation to carry out, a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment." You have a moral obligation to determine and pursue your life's purpose.

Once you have determined your mission in life, you must work to make that vocation a reality.  

While we can't escape the grind, we can do things to transform it into something more pleasurable.

Philosophy Professor Lorraine Besser of Middlebury College recommends these three mindset characteristics to help enjoy the grind:

1. Mindfulness 2.0 - Noticing without judging: This equates to bringing awareness to the world around you. What details are you missing in people, places, and events? The color of a shingle roof, the texture of the seat on the subway, and the accent in a person's voice are all examples of things we could observe on our commute to work each day.

2. Curiosity: It's estimated between ages 2 and 5, children ask 40,000 questions! But curiosity isn't just for kids. Since you're now more mindful, dig deeper. How long have asphalt shingles been used on houses? What are the most durable materials for use on commuter seats? How many different dialects are there within New York City?      

3. Creativity: Try something new that interests you. Creativity is a skill that allows you to form new connections within the mind. Creativity will bring novelty to your day. It will stimulate cognitive engagement, which makes things more interesting.  

By asking deeper, richer, and more novel questions when engaged in our daily grind, you can make living your purpose more enjoyable and appealing. Adding excitement and fun to your work will make the journey more pleasurable and allow you to stick to the vocation you were born to live.

Please leave me a comment about your thoughts on how to make the grind more desirable and motivating. Your ideas and perspectives are engaging, and I enjoy hearing from you.