It Must Be Done!

Recently, I was asked to find and coordinate a group of volunteers to clean and decorate our meditation centre and shop (which is why I've not been online much lately).  I confess, I was overwhelmed by the request.  I didn't feel I was the right person for the job.  I didn't know where to start and I was just afraid that the task was too big. 

Generally, I have no difficulty saying no.  I'm quite practised at it.  But for some reason in this case, 'No' did not seem like the right response.   Maybe I had something to learn.  Maybe I was the right person and just didn't know it.  Maybe I bought into the fact that this task just had to be done.
Regardless of the reason for saying yes, I took on the attitude, 'It must be done', and this has been really useful.

Firstly, it stops me from procrastinating.  When I was at the university, I used to wait until midnight before a paper was due to start it.  For some reason, midnight was the point at which I realised, 'It must be done.'  And then I would get on with it.  Another time when my child was born I decided that the loft (attic) needed flooring.  I crawled up there squee-zing into tight spaces in the eves to lay these floor boards, because, for me, 'It must be done.'  And it must be done while I can still crawl through the loft access!  So, the 'It must be done' attitude empowers me to get on with it!

Secondly, it stops me from comparing what I have contributed to what others have contributed.  Sometimes, when working as a group effort, it's easy to start comparing - why do I have to work more hours than them?  Why do I get all the nasty jobs?  Why isn't they working as hard as me?  Is my work good enough?  With the attitude of 'It must be done', I have no time for comparisons.  I work on the job many hours because, 'It must be done.'  I do the nasty jobs because, 'It must be done.'  I work hard because, 'It must be done.'  And I don't worry if I paint like Van Gogh or not because, 'It must be done.' Then, whatever contribution I get from others is icing on the cake! 
I've taken the responsibility, the buck stops with me, and 'It must be done.'  And it is getting done.  There has been many volunteers who have stepped up to help, from giving advice, cooking lunches, and painting, to window cleaning, curtain cleaning, and vacuuming - I've been offered so much help!  And it's all been quality help.  Without saying anything, I sense they all feel, 'It must be done.'  The hardest part of the job is finding more work for them to do! 
And now that I have this practical experience of 'It must be done,' I'm looking for other areas where I can apply it. It must be done. It will be done.
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Ross Galán, NLP Spiritual LIfe Coach
Spiritual LIfe Coaching