Last weekend when I was home I went for a walk at the lake with a friend of mine. He asked me a question about making videos that made me create a video about it. In essence he was asking me what I was getting out of making videos and I believe it was a question about publicity, making money, etc. My response wasn’t bad, which is why I’m popping the video about it below so you can check it out if you so choose.
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However, upon reflection I realized that when I responded to the question, I felt like my back was against the wall and that I had to justify what I was doing. Sometimes all of us feel like that, where we see a question or hear a question or are confronted with something we’re doing and we’re not quite sure how to answer it. And I realized that overall my response was, well… because I like it!
Frankly, I think that’s a great answer that can be applied to many things that we do… when it’s true. For instance, anyone who tells me they like smoking when they know it causes cancer and emphysema, or that they like getting drunk and passing out every weekend, I know is lying. Anyone who says they like brushing their teeth without adding “because I want to keep my teeth healthy and cavity free” is lying because it’s not something that’s done out of pleasure… well, there’s probably one or two crazy people who might love doing it. lol
But for many things it’s the perfect and true answer, even if it didn’t start out that way. When I started my first blog back in 2005 it was with the intention of showing business proficiency. All these years and extra blogs later, I do it because I like it.
When I first started doing video I did it with the intention of improving my craft of speaking as well as getting my face out to the public in case someone liked what I had to say and needed a speaker/presenter for their organization that they were willing to pay for. After awhile I realized that I like doing them as well.
Why do I eat so much dessert? Because I like it. Why do I eat a lot of hamburger? Because I like it. Why am I an independent consultant who doesn’t have a full time job, doesn’t have insurance paid for by an employer, and doesn’t get vacation time so I can go to all these exotic places knowing I’m still being paid? Because I like what I do.
Think about the different things you do. How many of them are you doing for the pleasure of it? How many are you doing because you feel obligated? How many are you doing because you ARE obligated? What can you give up? What can you make more enjoyable to move it into the “because I like it” realm?
Anyway, that should have been my true response because, when all is said and done, it’s my reality. I hope you check out the video because in the middle of it all I reveal something about pretzels; did that get your attention? 🙂
AMEN Mitch! I am familiar with that have-to-justify-myself feeling. I have learned that if you don’t enjoy what you are doing be it work, play, family stuff, etc. it really isn’t worth doing. That being said, sometimes things are your responsibility and not always your choice, but you can still like doing it.
Thanks Aradia, and I’m glad to see you here again. It’s a horrible thing feeling like you have to justify yourself when you’re not accountable to those people. I’ve got to make sure I don’t have that feeling again.
The key word Mitch is not ‘like’, but ‘I’. If you can solve that existential problem, you will like everything.
Rummuser, I wish I could tell you that I understand that but I don’t. lol However, I’m going to guess and assume that you’re saying the reason the statement works is because of “I” as in I am in control of my feelings and my happiness. If I’m wrong let me know. 😉
One way of looking at it and it is right. Another way of looking at it is that if the I is not happy doing anything, it will simply not do that thing and even altruism is because the I likes doing that.
I think to do everything enjoyment is must. Without enjoyment we can’t get proper success. Life is wonderful. We must try to enjoy it
I’m for that Ahsan. Sometimes we have to do what’s needed, but going for enjoyment most of the time works out well.
Hi Mitch,
I think because I have always been a ‘rebel with a cause’, lots of people question why I do many of the things that I do. That became old quickly and I stopped feeling as though I owed an explanation. I believe everyone should proudly, authentically and unapologetically step out and flaunt themselves.
“Because I like it” is a great response 🙂
Thanks Rachel. You know, we don’t always think about it up front but it’s a great answer to have in reserve isn’t it?
Hey Mitch,
I do love the I like it answer – I mean, if we can’t like doing something, how can we be truthful to that particular task? And we can’t be productive as we could be, if we were to like the activity.
As for the things I do, I can skip a lot of things in my life, but I don’t want to, because a part of me likes it – from learning to reading. And I do feel that obligation to myself – which I find very helpful; a part of my mind acts as my own supervisor. I can procrastinate, but after awhile, I will get bored and I will start feeling guilty.
Great share Jeevan. Actually I think there are those things we do not only because we like them but because those are the times when we feel we’re in control of our own situations, if you know what I mean. I figure no one can tell me what to do with my videos because they’re not paying me and they’re not anyone I report to. I love it! 🙂
Hey Mitch,
I got to remember Steve Jobs words “Love what you do”. I completely agree we should what we love to do rather than doing that for money. We should enjoy it as you said which even increases the level of productivity either.
Thanks Tushar. Of course sometimes we do things we don’t like to earn the money so we can do the things we really like to do. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as there’s a goal in mine right?
I agree. When you’re doing something that you don’t like, it feels taxing. Not very fulfilling.
I’d agree with that Aras. Stress and enjoyment don’t really go hand in hand.
Hi mitch,
your post like a motivation for me. Like is what we feel and comfort to be have. Doing anything because we like it, the results will be the best, far from our imagines. For examples, because of you like blogging I’m sure you have many loyal visitors now. and they would love to see what you’re sharing…
Meisha, I hope people see the enjoyment I get out of blogging; I certainly try to entertain, even when I’m doing a short rant. 🙂
When people are doing something they like, they usually feel happy and suolful. That’s maybe the reason that they can finish it succefully.
One certainly hopes people find ways to fulfill their dreams when they’re doing something they like.
Most motivational speakers say that you have to love what you’re doing in order to be successful. The problem, as you alluded to, is that the process can take a very long time, and sometimes it’s hard to keep justifying things in our own minds. Those long-range plans aren’t easy, especially when the results are slow in coming. But eventually, you’ll find yourself on the brink, Mitch — just like those Red Sox.
Yes Charles, my beloved Red Sox! lol You know, in the movie The Secret they said it best; if it was easy it would cause way too many problems for too many people. Still, I think that if more people found things such that they enjoyed their lives even 50% of the time, it would make them happier overall.
Hah, interesting point “I do it because I like it”. Or shall I say “I do it because I am good at it and I feel good when I am doing it” LOL. BTW doing things for money only is a sign there is something wrong with us 🙂
Well, I’m not going to go that far, but I will say that if it’s not really anything you know something about then the fakeness of it all will show itself.
Hi Mitch,
I think because Most motivational speakers say that you have to love what you’re doing in order to be successful.the results will be the best, far from our imagines. For examples, because of you like blogging I’m sure you have many loyal visitors now.
I do have some Sumon, and I hope those who are notice how much I enjoy doing it.
Hey Mitch,
Now I know that you enjoy doing videos so I’m not surprised by that answer.
I’m building a business online and there are a lot of things that I have to do that aren’t exactly the most enjoyable but I have to say that I do like blogging and reading other people’s blogs too so I can definitely add that to the list.
You definitely shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying something so kudos to you my friend. By the way, I like desserts too and hamburgers and as long as I like something I’m going to keep enjoying them. Amen to that.
Hope you’re not working too hard again this week my friend. Have a good one and talk to you later.
~Adrienne
Adrienne, when I work I always work hard; reputations and such you know. 🙂 However, it does sometimes mess up my response and writing time, that’s for sure. There are a lot of things I like, but I know that some of them need to be done with at least a modicum of moderation… sweets and such. However, there’s nothing wrong with doing things we like, no matter who doesn’t like them… as long as they’re legal of course. lol