Excitement won't carry you further

We often sign up for tasks without considering whether we'll be able to show up with full intention.

We think about how fun or exciting it'll be to experience something.

Soon enough, we begin to wonder - did we even think clearly?

The sudden responsibility to be fully present is daunting. But we get baited by the rush of excitement and keep agreeing without enough regard for ourselves.

Think of when you said yes to a party or an outing and resented yourself as the event drew closer.

Our excitement is a bully. It is easy to believe the excitement's claim at first, but you realize you'd be better off without it.

I sense we do that with our education, jobs, relationships, conversations, and while buying anything new.

How excited we get decides if we will pay further attention. We get so bullied by the excitement we believe it will help us take action sustainably.

But excitement about anything seemingly fun or interesting wears off soon enough. It wears off, and then you've got real work to do.

And nobody likes doing real work. At least not all the time.

As I think about this further, I am convinced that we need something other than excitement before we make decisions.

A replacement feeling where you're unsure of a new task but do it anyway and discover if it excites you.

The gradual way of being present and intentional doesn't feel like a burden and could be invaluable. Think of the first few friends you made as a child.

You were usually unsure of the bond but gradually made some long-lasting friends. Some of these friendships made it easy for you to be whoever you are.

The excitement about the friendship followed the fun you had while nurturing the bond.