I don’t relate to the idea of “hard work”. This idea stems from a particular belief around how we integrate work and play in our lives.

I often hear business owners, entrepreneurs, creatives and high performing athletes talk – almost preach – about how hard they worked to be where they are now. And I wonder…

Is it really hard work? And who came up with that idea anyway?

The industrial revolution is far behind us, and we’re going full steam ahead with the revolution of our consciousness.

So on that note…

It’s time for a Genius Moment! Stop and ask yourself what “hard work” really means to you. Peel back the “hard” label that has been so readily slapped onto work. Who put it there to begin with? Go deeper on your personal definition and values. How would you really like work to feel? You may discover that what lies beneath is diligence, efficiency, dedication, consistency, focus, passion, inspiration… There is nothing hard about any of those, is there?

Awesome! Now ditch the thought of “hard work”!

I imagine you had some cool discoveries just now writing down what is really driving your beliefs about work.

If you believe that you create your own reality by the thoughts you think… then doesn’t it make sense to change this thought? And if you don’t think that you create your reality yet feel the strain of hardship… have you given yourself the opportunity to think and do things differently?

The simplest way to put it is this:
– Hard creates tension and struggle
– Easy creates flow and momentum

Both are habits we cultivate in the mind… How would you prefer your work to be?

Genius Moment: When you notice yourself going into “hard work” zone, STOP. Step back, take a deep breath or several, and ask yourself how you’d like this moment/project/task/day to flow… I imagine you’ll chose something like, “I want to feel good/enthusiastic/easy/awesome/inspired/fun…” Then approach what you’re doing with that refreshed energy. You can reset as many times throughout a task or work day as you need to, simply based on how you want to feel. You’ll recognise quickly when you’re not feeling that way.

Seriously, ditch “hard” completely…

Some people imbue this concept into everything they do. Even in terms of personal development. For example:

“I’ve never meditated before, it’s going to be hard for me to sit still for even 2 minutes.”

IS IT REALLY??

Because if you think it will be hard, then it will be hard, my friend. And the more you tell yourself that, the more you cement it into your mind and stop yourself from having an open experience of it. This applies to anything.

What if there were no adjective attached and it was a case of, quite simply, sitting still for 2 minutes? What if you make no projection of how it will be, and surprise yourself with however it feels and flows in that moment? Can you do that for 2 minutes?

Genius Moment: Which areas of your life do you find yourself thinking something will be “hard”, only to find that things become hard? Write down some new ways of thinking around how you’d like each area of your life to feel and flow (regardless of “how things have always been” or how others tell you things will be – that’s their experience not yours). Remember you are the creator and curator of your reality, so stop perpetuating any old funk and start creating new genius moments. Thought by thought. Moment by moment. Smile by smile.

With consistent application, you’ll soon notice the only “hard” things left in your life may simply be the hard boiled eggs you have for breakfast.

Work Hard, Play Hard = No, Gracias!

You choose.

I prefer this: Work Nice, Play Nice = Si, Gracias!

I advocate for removing the word “hard” from our thinking. I advocate for finding other words that align with how you really want to feel with what you do, because feeling good drives everything. Wouldn’t you agree?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below if you feel so inspired.

Be Genius,

Karin