Chapter 1: A Lesson from My Cousin

On a leisurely Sunday afternoon, I found myself spending time with my fifth-grade cousin. The previous day had been a holiday, and I couldn't resist asking him, “Have you finished your homework?” To my predictable surprise, he replied, “No, I haven’t even started. I’m just not interested in doing it.”

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The Ineffectiveness of Lecturing

Rather than lecturing him about the importance of homework or insisting that good grades are crucial for success, I chose a different approach. Reflecting on my own experiences, I remembered how I often completed my assignments at the last minute, but I always managed to do so on my own. In contrast, I have another cousin who diligently finishes her work as soon as she gets home from school. However, my fifth-grade cousin often drifts off and might skip assignments if left unsupervised late at night.

Instead of scolding him, I aimed to provide a practical example of how he might tackle tasks he finds tedious. I knew he might not remember this lesson consistently, but I could remind him when I was around.

Distinguishing Between 'Love to Do' and 'Have to Do'

After ensuring he was paying attention, I elaborated. Life consists of activities we pursue out of passion and those we undertake simply because we must. Every task falls into one of these two categories.

For instance, if you enjoy cycling, you naturally wake up early to ride before preparing for school. When you are genuinely interested in something, a certain energy propels you forward, placing your mind in a positive state. Conversely, tasks that you feel obligated to do require extra mental effort. In the case of homework, you might find it challenging to motivate yourself since it's not something that excites you.

Take your mother, for example. She wakes up daily to prepare breakfast, including on weekends. This responsibility demands her to exert additional effort to rise early and cook for the family. It exemplifies a "have-to-do" task in her life. Recognizing that everyone engages in both types of activities is crucial.

Emphasizing Value Creation

Recently, I came across an insightful segment from the School of Greatness podcast that resonated with my thoughts on parenting. It emphasized that children should not be financially incentivized for completing daily chores. They should learn about value creation—understanding how they can contribute positively to others. This perspective encourages them to view the world through a lens of service and community contribution.

Unfortunately, many parents still exchange good grades for money. In my opinion, such a transaction undermines the true value of effort.

The Rewarding Nature of Hard Work

As I spoke, my cousin decided to tackle his homework, albeit with some reluctance. I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced, but my words sparked a glimmer of motivation.

Completing tasks we are obligated to do can be challenging. We all face responsibilities that can feel burdensome.

Photo by Ismail Salad Osman Hajji dirir on Unsplash

After three hours, he finally finished his assignments. The joy on his face was unmistakable; he looked relieved. I felt proud of him for resisting the temptation of instant gratification, which would have been easy to choose over the satisfaction of completing his work.

Chapter 2: The Importance of Play and Productivity

In this video titled "Rediscovering Play: Finding Joy from Movement in Adult Life," we explore how engaging in playful activities can help adults reconnect with their sense of joy and fulfillment.

The second video, "How to Find Joy and Peace Without Sacrificing Productivity or Progress," discusses strategies for maintaining a sense of happiness while still being productive and making progress in life.