How to reframe the work that doesn't excite you

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Hi Reader

There's always that one task. The one that lurks on your to-do list, making you wince every time you glance at it. The one that turns you into a grumpy, procrastinating teenager instead of the leader you are.

It’s the job you’re doing out of necessity rather than choice. It drags on your energy. Maybe you even avoid it. And yet it still matters – because for now a least, it really is only you who can do it.

So how do you shift from dull to done?

Try these three reframes that I've used with my own tasks, and to help my clients with theirs.

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1/ Just Get It Done

Yes, it's obvious. But often we don't realise how much mental energy we spend deferring it instead of doing it.

Try shrinking the task to the simplest definition of done. Then pick a timeslot and focus fully. Maybe have a "get stuff done" album on favourites to get you in a good headspace. Then enjoy the feeling that comes with having it out of your head and off your plate.

The joy to find here isn't in the task – it's in the relief of crossing it off and reclaiming mental space.

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2/ Done With Less Effort

Some tasks are like weeds: ignore them, and they just get thicker and harder to pull. The backlog builds, the dread grows. So you avoid it even more.

But a few small tweaks and a little time investment can turn them into something manageable.

Maybe it’s a template that streamlines client onboarding. A checklist for monthly reports. Even a touch of AI to help get past the blank page or repeat the common analysis.

Also try using the principles of mise-en-place so that everything you need to get the job done is in one place and ready to go.

Each tweak reduces friction and makes the task lighter next time.

The satisfaction here isn’t just in finishing once, but in knowing you’ve designed a version that takes less from you, not more. Plus this is a great step to making it way easier to delegate, when the time comes.

(But just watch you don't turn streamlining the task into a new form of procrastination!)

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3/ Done In Service

Even the most mundane tasks are riffs in a larger tune. So think: Who does this serve? What standard does it set? How does it pave the way for something bigger?

This is where your leadership identity comes in.

Leaders connect the dots. They show their team how the dullest work matters beyond the task. They show that even the most basic admin connects to the biggest customer and business outcomes. And they demonstrate that nothing is "beneath them" in the pursuit of great outcomes.

One of my earliest managers would make sure they were the last out of a meeting room and take out any cups or paperwork that others had left behind. Menial? Maybe. But it set a subtle yet powerful example that stuck with me so much, that I did the same through all my years of corporate leadership. And I hope it had a similar ripple effect for others too.

If you've got "dull" tasks, you can bet your team have too. So set a standard and mindset that others can follow.

The pride here isn’t just in the task itself, but in the outcomes you’re shaping and the culture you’re reinforcing.

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Over To You

Not every job will spark joy – but every job can create value. The relief of completion that sets you up for something bigger. The rhythm that makes things easier next time. And the outcomes that ripple far beyond the original task.

So this week, pick one "ugh" item on your list and think:

Now imagine doing that for all your dull tasks over the next few weeks, so all your energy goes to your biggest outcomes.

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I work differently to most coaches. Instead of long, infrequent sessions, we meet in more regular bursts. That means we keep the biggest work moving at pace. And I can help you spot, catch and clear the friction that slows you down.

If you’d like a straightforward conversation about how this could help you achieve the outcomes that matter most, while reducing pressure, let’s talk.

From 1:1 coaching through to strategic partnership, you’ll find clear options for shaping results that last. Explore them at sparkedambition.co.uk​

Stay ambitious.

Rob

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Sparked Ambition Ltd | ​linkedin.com/in/robstubbs​