Sometimes We Must Have a Little Instant Gratification

Little known fact: The Creative Farm Girl spent three summers in her teen years mowing and trimming greens and fairways at a local golf course.

It was the best job I ever had.

 We greenskeepers had to be out on the course with our motors revving before the sun rose, to mow off the dew for the earliest golfers. Usually one of us took the front nine, while the other took the back nine, to get everything done before it was too crowded. On those days we had to “play” dodge the golf balls (does anyone really need to be playing golf before 8 a.m.)?

To this day, I find such satisfaction in freshly-cut lawn, mowed by me.

On the other hand, in my book publishing days, work was almost never done. Seeing a book from its concept to a hard copy form took months, if not a couple years. There was very little gratification in one day’s work. Writing a book took even longer, when you included the revising and sending it out to agents and publishers, much less seeing it land on a store book shelf. By the time a book was completed, I was so immersed in the next ten projects, I never gave it much thought.

And when I transitioned into children’s ministry, that too, was not so much a job of accomplishments, but investing in future accomplishments, many of which I wouldn’t see.

But, all those years ago, every single morning when I finished mowing the greens, I could enjoy a job completed.

And it was beautiful.

Most jobs are not made for instant gratification. They are big, hairy monsters, made for sweat and long nights and too many hours of hard work to keep track. If you find yourself caught up in one of these long-monster projects that is getting you down and out, I have one suggestion:

Mow your lawn. (I seriously think I just heard a moan.)

Let me rephrase that: Do an activity that you can see to the end in a matter of an hour or so. Make lemonade from scratch. Organize your sock drawer. Write a letter to a friend. Bake cookies and give them to someone who would enjoy a treat and a visitor.

Then, ENJOY your accomplishment--the one you started and finished--for that day.

If you can incorporate these "Instant Gratification" projects along with your big hairy ones, you're more likely to stay committed and encouraged.

Let's do this.

And who do you know needs to feel a little accomplishment TODAY? Forward this to them now.