When temptation strikes
When temptation strikes, and you want to cut corners, how do you resist? How do you stay on course, and do what you know you are supposed to do, when you cannot see the immediate payout?
While I was in Jamaica, I didn't really work on my liberal arts education because I was being pulled into different directions. I was overseeing two different renovation projects, in addition to overseeing the clean-up of the yard. As I mentioned before, I tried to read but I couldn't focus. However, I forced myself to work on my paid projects, which I worked on from 1:00 am to about 5:00 am. I brought all the notes that I took while taking the courses for my liberal arts education, but frankly, I was unable to type them up. Most things were simply a chore that I didn't have the time to pursue.
I am getting caught up on typing up my notes, and it is taking much longer than I expected. I wanted to do it in two weeks, but it's more like a month or even more now. I want to quit typing and start taking courses again – something is holding me back, and it's the voice of reason. This is the point at which I usually make mistakes, convincing myself that it's more important to complete the courses instead of typing course notes. After all, I should be able to read my notes and analyze them. But experience tells me that that's not indeed the case. For me to analyze and synthesize what I have learned, the information has to be in a certain format, and that format is typed, so I can print and read them, then manipulate the information so that I can see themes and make connections.
Although it's difficult to do, I am ignoring the temptation, telling myself that I have to stick to the path, even though I cannot see the benefits. I know what I would like the benefits to be – The Invisible Mentor Model, membership site and a book about what it takes to acquire an informal classic education. But who is to say that they will become a reality. The outcomes of my liberal arts education may be very different than what I anticipated, but I shouldn't dishonor the commitments that I have made to myself, so I am taking the time to write up my notes even though it's a very boring task.
If I am honest with myself, I am not behind in my informal classic education because I have completed six courses already and midway through another, and it has been less than four months since I started. When temptation strikes, I have to do what's right and do things the right way, instead of completing things on time. I have to look at what will give me the biggest benefits. What would be the point of investing so much time and money into acquiring an informal liberal arts education, if I decide to rush and not learn and benefit from my efforts?
When temptation strikes, how do you deal with it? What tools and resources do you have in your kit to resist the temptation? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. Liked this post? Share it and subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Author Bio: Avil Beckford, an expert interviewer, entrepreneur and published author is passionate about books and professional development, and that's why she founded The Invisible Mentor and the Virtual Literary World Tour to give you your ideal mentors virtually in the palm of your hands by offering book reviews and book summaries, biographies of wise people and interviews of successful people.
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