How to train your brain to enjoy doing difficult tasks effortlessly

Admit it or not, most people hate doing difficult tasks but have no choice to skip them. And while some difficult tasks can feel overwhelming, having the right mindset and strategies can help one train their brain to not only tackle them effectively but even enjoy the process. So, here we list some tips to help you develop a positive attitude toward challenging work:

Instead of thinking the task to be difficult and a burden, view them as opportunities for growth. Shifting your mindset can make a huge difference in how you approach the tasks. When you see a task as a challenge, and something you can learn from your brain will perceive it in a positive way and you'll be happy to do it. On the contrary, if you associate negative emotions to a task and think of it as a burden, you'll find excuses to delay doing it.

Your brain loves patterns and routines. And so, when you make a difficult task a part of your regular schedule, it stops feeling too overwhelming. Instead of waiting for motivation, train your brain to complete difficult tasks within a fixed time. This will make these tasks less boring and intimidating.

For instance, if you struggle with writing reports, dedicate the first 30 minutes of your workday to it. Over time, it will become a habit to finish the most difficult task first and it will also make you feel accompalished. You can also pair doing difficult tasks with pleasant activity— like listening to music which can help create positive reinforcement. Eventually, your brain will see it as just another part of your daily tasks, thus reducing resistance and making you like it.

The idea of this technique is to turn difficult tasks into a game, thus making them more enjoyable. Gamification involves adding elements like rewards, competition, or tracking progress to boost one's motivation.

For example: Set a timer and challenge yourself to complete a difficult task within a specific time. Keep track of your progress. This will make it more challenging. And if you happen to finish it within the time limit, reward yourself with a treat like a cheat meal or an extra 10-minute break during the day. This will train your brain to associate hard work with positive results, thus making them more enjoyable.

Having a growth mindset is all about perceiving challenges as opportunities for growth. It is the belief that your abilities can improve with effort, so having a growth mindset can significantly change how you approach difficult tasks. People with a growth mindset often see challenges positively instead of thinking of them to be threats to their self-worth.

To develop a growth mindset, accept your mistakes and learn from them instead of considering them as failures. When you struggle with a task, remember that efforts always lead to progress.

Visualisation techniques can help train your brain to look forward to completing the task. How? Simply, picture yourself successfully finishing a difficult task and feeling a sense of accomplishment. This mental imagery will activate the brain’s reward system, and make the task feel more enjoyable. Interestingly, many successful people and athletes too follow the visualisation technique to overcome challenges. It is also a huge part of manifesting one's desires.