Push & Pull

I encounter procrastination fairly often like most people do. Even for activities & tasks that I enjoy, there can be a hesitation or distraction that takes me out of the flow state. I was speaking with a friend recently about life stages & major changes and he mentioned the concept of how “push & pull” can be our guide. 

We’ve often heard that the worst time to look for a new job is when you’re dissatisfied or angry about your current situation. In this context, we are more influenced by what is pushing us away from our current job than by what is pulling us towards it. 

I’ve found that looking at all my choices in this manner can help me see where I’m getting stuck. Ideally, I want to focus more on the things that pull me towards an activity. I also need to be aware of the things that seem to push me away. I need to acknowledge these things so that I can determine how to either mitigate them or see if I can get help with them. 

For example, I love learning. Discovering new things & skills is something I find very satisfying & rewarding. However, studying for technical certifications is something I have a real challenge with. Some things are pushing me away from the process and interfering with the pull of loving to learn. Some of these “push” elements could include whether I find the specific topic meaningful in a larger context (i.e. not just work-specific), or whether I feel challenged by the process & pressure of taking exams. 

Knowing this, I can try to seek out more things that can pull me towards an activity to outweigh the things that push me away. Talking with other people is great at this point – I can get objective opinions and ideas that might not come to mind as easily. 

When considering big changes in your life, like a career change or moving to a new location, understanding what pushes & pulls you can be very important. In everyday choices that come up, understanding these pushes & pulls can also be very helpful to keep you motivated & on track. Something that pushes you away from an activity or task, like fear of failure or shame, is really important to understand. Understanding the “push” can help you defuse its power, and hopefully you can find a stronger “pull” that will keep you on track.