Pearl Buck Quote on Getting Work Done and Why You Shouldn’t Follow Your Moods

“I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.”

Pearl S. Buck

Beyond the Quote (299/365)

How to let your mind know that it has to get down to work? The answer isn’t as obvious as it might seem. You might think, it’s your mind and your mind is in your control, right? But, why then can’t you just tell your mind to “get down to work” and be done with it? Why is so much of what we have to get done always such a fight? Why can’t we just do what we need to do automatically? And the answer, as far as I can see it, is that control over your mind is something that has to be earned—it’s never just given.

When I think about the interactions I have with my mind, there are FAR more arguments, negotiations, and compromises, than any kind of following of direct orders or requests. In fact, it feels like my mind is a LOT more like a rebellious toddler than a trained soldier leaving boot camp. Until, of course, you learn how to discipline, focus, and train your mind to become otherwise. But, one thing is for sure, it won’t happen on its own.

But, hold up a minute… have you ever thought about who exactly you are arguing, negotiating, and compromising with? In order for any of that to happen there needs to be two, eh? Surprise, surprise—it’s your ego. Your ego is the sense you have of your self-esteem and self-worth. It’s also the little voice in your head that you argue with all of the time. It’s the voice that tells you to follow your moods; to break from your diet; to have a lazy day; and to put off your responsibilities until later.

Your ego is the enemy. Your ego is what fights to keep you in your comfort zone. Your ego is what gives you all of that drama and resistance ahead of starting any task. Your ego is what turns both failure and success into “handicaps” rather than platforms for growth. Because here’s the thing about success with the ego: It leads to cockiness and compromises work ethic. And here’s the thing about failure with the ego: It can dampen/destroy spirit and lead to self-doubt. So, what do you get when you subtract the ego?

You get your raw, fully present, life-filled self. The one who is free to make decisions minus all of the arguing, negotiation, and compromise. The one who is able to get to work upon request. The one who is open-minded and ready to learn from both success and failure—and who is able to stay humble and curious in the process. The one who, in success, takes mental note, but gets back to work. And the one who, in failure, takes mental note, and gets back to work. The one who lives by trial, error, learn, adjust, and repeat.

So, to circle back to the original question, how to let your mind know that it has to get down to work? By removing the ego and disciplining your mind to become a boot camp soldier rather than a moody two-year old. And how do you discipline your mind you ask? By making and keeping promises, both to yourself and others. By saying what you’re going to do and then doing what you said. By ritualizing your work so that it becomes automatic rather than sporadic. By showing up to work even when you don’t want to. And by reflecting honestly on your journey and only adjusting if it’s you talking and not your ego. Your work is the way. Don’t wait for your moods. Proceed humbly forward and keep showing up. Earn control over your mind and stop expecting it to just be given.

In a Tweet:

How to earn control over your mind?

1) Remove the ego. Ego is the little voice in your head that you always argue with. It's usually in control. Remove it.

2) Build discipline. Do what you say you're gonna do. Only say what you mean. Do it even when you don't want to. Get help.

— Matthew Hogan (@MattHogan123) October 29, 2020

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