Some is Better than None
We sometimes feel guilty if we can't do a task or activity completely or to the best of our ability.
There are times when I don't feel very motivated to do important and productive things. These significant things could include exercising, writing, cleaning, reading, and spiritual activities like praying or reading the Bible. The lack of motivation could be because I had a really long day and I just want to "veg out" on the couch. Or it could be because I'm physically or mentally tired. Or I simply might not feel like it. Times like these when I don't feel very motivated to do important things actually happen more often than I'd like to admit. In fact, it sometimes feels like a daily battle for me.
In times like these, I try to repeat a simple phrase to get me motivated to do something productive: "Some is better than none." Some exercise is better than no exercise. Some prayer is better than no prayer. Some cleaning is better than no cleaning. Some Bible reading is better than no Bible reading. Some writing is better than no writing.
We sometimes feel guilty if we can't do a task or activity completely or to the best of our ability. And so, we just don't engage in it at all. With the phrase, "Some is better than none," I remind myself that it's totally OK for me to do less than I hope to. I give myself permission to do just a little bit of the task or activity. If I feel like doing more, I can keep going. If I don't, I give myself permission to stop and move on to something else. This helps me build consistency with important activities. Even on days when I'm not feeling up to the task, I do just a little bit of it. I can then honestly say to myself that I did it, even if it wasn't up to personal standards. It also gives me a chance to actually do more if I want to. But I just need to start the task or activity in the first place to have that opportunity later on.
I use this "some is better than none" strategy for a lot of things. I'll do a little bit of cardio-vascular exercise (about 3.5 minutes) even if I don't feel like it. I'll type one paragraph for my blog even if I don't feel like writing. I'll read one paragraph of the Bible even if I don't feel like opening the holy book. I'm actually surprised by how often I do more than I expected, if I can just get started. And if I don't feel like doing more, that's OK. I give myself permission to stop and take my break. Try using the phrase "some is better than none" to get you motivated to do even just a little bit of an important task or activity you hope to accomplish.
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
