Some of the things you need to do are fascinating, motivating.
Big picture, strategic kind of things. Delivering a presentation before a group of people who are interested to speak with you afterwards. Publishing a book. Hiring your first employee.
It’s also true for smaller tasks, connected to this kind of work. Even filling in a form to register your business feels exciting because it’s part of a bigger picture. Or writing a guest blog post for a niche audience, knowing the impact it can have on your sales.
These are excited tasks. They stand out.
There are other tasks which simply need to be done. You don’t feel as much enthusiasm for them – usually because there’s an element of repetition. Another report to a client. Writing a blog post you write every week, or sending a monthly newsletter. You’re following the rhythms of marketing consistency, and you do it because you know there will be a cumulative result…but… sigh. There’s not always a spark.
These are grit tasks. They keep going.
The thing is, you need both grit tasks and excited tasks in your marketing, and in your business.
Recently I’ve had several exciting collaborations in discussions – very, very exciting – and although it’s not time to reveal them yet, I can tell you now they are definitely the result of grit tasks.
Books I’ve written. Consistent posts I’ve shared on Instagram. Relationships I’ve nurtured without even realising it – conversations and DM’s and invitations.
And because of those, I find myself working on something on a Sunday afternoon or a Saturday evening, because I’m so excited about them.
The excited tasks flow from the grit tasks.
And there wouldn’t be one without the other.
What “grit tasks” do you need to press on with?
